In Words and in Deed: Kibaki's Comment

Said the president: ...we need a new strategy to urgently reverse the massive brain drain out of the continent. These bright sons and daughters of Africa are working in foreign nations for a reason.For your information, the problems of the youth are many. Social research shows, for instance, that the young are many times more than anyone else likely to suffer: unemployment; to be involved in crime, commercial sex and to die young.

This is not to, entirely, lay blame on the young. You, also, see them participating in sports like the forthcoming London Olympics; in the military and as heads of families as well.

Many experts agree that environment plays a great role in shaping people; the vice versa is also true.

By making those remarks, the president, thus, indicated his desire to create an environment that is of positive influence to the young and curious mind. He can be believed because, if you remember, he has been accused, by his friends and foes, of more action than rhetoric.

He, for instance, never commented when his ministers were, allegedly, caught at Nairobi’s red light district.

He, also, did not comment when Kenya football federation decided to kill soccer.

Neither and nor, did he comment when parliamentarians voted to charge their tax obligations to the exchequer.

But he commented, and actually elaborated, when, after being elected in 2002, the country achieved a positive growth. Up from negative one recorded earlier.

He, also, did when his government discovered oil. So, did he when the local media spread rumours of his, alleged, second family.

During the post election violence, precipitated by a dissenting and aggressive opposition, he said: stop the violence first.

When Alshabab terrorists attacked the country he commented and sent the military there.

In short, he is very choosy when commenting on issues. His criteria may not be, entirely, defined. One common characteristic is that he means what he says and he says what he means.

So, the young could take his words to bank: in order to compete effectively in the global market we must be able to develop technologies that will set off Africa’s industrial revolution," he added.

It is probably the best comment by him. After all, the character of any country is shaped by the young people.

And like Mutuma Mathiu said in his weekly column the other day: It’s a good thing to care for the poor, but somebody should ensure that they benefit: they. Themselves.

Over to the young.