Is The 'Dynamic Duo' Of UhuRuto Your Guys Next Door?

A few days ago, a Hong Kong newspaper wrote that the new Chinese President, President Xi Jinping had taken a cab/taxi in Beijing last month. The taxi driver Mr. Guo Lixin said that he picked up two men, one of them Xi Jinping,then the head of the Communist Party who was l to be elected  as the Chinese President two weeks later.Guo claimed that he chatted with the President for some time, and the topic of discussion was  air pollution.Guo then made a remark to the passenger who was sitting next to him, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like general secretary Xi?" and he replied, "You are the first taxi driver to recognize me." Later the newspaper and the government website pulled out the story from their websites explaining that the whole story was ‘fake’

This was seen as Public Relations stunt aimed at boosting the image of the new President, who wants to be portrayed as a humble, honest man with a common touch, unlike former leaders who are always aloof and out of touch with common citizens.

Whether the taxi story is true lies between Guo and his ‘imaginary’ passenger, but the Chinese President is gaining popularity after he ordered the police to never block traffic to give way to his motorcade whenever he is visiting. He even at one time mingled with some fisherman in Hannan Island and discussed about the catch with them! Sounds interesting!

This may not be new.

In France, the President, François Hollande,commonly  known as ‘Mr. Normal’, takes moderate trips on the high speed train, stops at the traffic lights, shakes hands with common citizen and even hugs them and takes photos with them. Despite his humility and touch with the public, he has been extremely losing popularity, now at 25 % barely a year after taking office.

I was however not expecting to see this closer to, if not at home! I was impressed to see how casually, yet professionally President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy; Hon.Ruto conducted themselves during the unveiling of the partial Cabinet. The two, clad in white shirts and red ties (now this is real consulting!!) named the first four nominees, with the President giving a brief history of each of them before asking them to address the Press. All this time, the President’s Aide- de- camp was not with him! 

The President then welcomed journalist to ask questions.Here,he comes across as a people’s person;  when the Star reporter Oliver Mathenge rises to ask his question and introduces himself, the President replies, “Yes, Oliver. I know you!’’ Now I don’t know whether he knows him because he wrote something negative about him or not, but that is remarkable!

 Later on, he invites his deputy to say something too; ‘William hata wewe kuja!’. Hon Ruto addresses the press,the President throws an open invitation to journalists,'karibuni chai', and then the two exit the stage while holding and swinging hands!

It is not the first time since they were elected that these two are showing signs of great friendship between them; a video clip taken from their campaign shots shows them saying their lines, making mistakes and laughing at themselves. Now, these two look like your guy next door! No doubt!

The two seems to be very responsible, committed, God-fearing and loving family men. They have beautiful families and are occasionally accompanied by their mothers. Their wives have come out as very humble, supportive and decent women. The number one and two have shown great respect to women; by choosing to let their wives hold their bibles as they took oath, so that they can hold them responsible and remind them and hold them accountable should they fall short of their oath. This is a great example to our country; that wives and husband should consult. 

This shows that they have and value family values, which was also depicted yesterday by picking Cabinet nominees who have families (coincidently, all four have two children each!)These values are very important and positive and will be useful while implementing the constitution and fulfilling pledges.

To add to that, by trusting a woman, Ambassador Amina Mohammed with such a powerful and important docket, Foreign Affairs, it shows that their government is committed to gender balance as well as empowering women and that true to their pledges; Cabinet posts will be won on merit through an open, transparent and non-tribal affiliation process.

President Uhuru and Vice President Ruto are bringing hope, confidence and a smile to Kenyans by doing things differently and professionally.

Going by the profiles of the four nominees, and hoping that they will use the same criteria for the remaining 14, we can be assured of a government of technocrats, and hope that things will now be done efficiently and effectively.

These and many more, like when the President attended the Late Okuta’s funeral in Kisumu and Hon Ruto’s  visiting flood victims are clear indications that we have a new dawn in Kenya. Even their harshest critics (Tracy included!) will attest that their leadership style is commendable. 

Despite the issues that that the two are facing and the controversial campaign or the way they ascended to power, there are so many good things in them which need to be praised.

 I am therefore declaring my unqualified support to the dynamic duo.