Here’s my wish list for Mwendwa
What you need to know:
- You are taking office with an overwhelming goodwill. Never since the first term of Mwai Kibaki has anyone taken over an elective office with such optimism being bestowed upon him. It is up to you to define what you want to be remembered for.
- Get a good public relations manager to prop up your image.
Good morning Nick Mwendwa!
I must congratulate you on the extraordinary feat of rising from the position of a rank outsider to wrestle the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidency from older and definitely more monied men. By just that one act I can promise you that you have assured yourself a place in history books.
You have shown the young people of this country that no matter where you are born and no matter your surname, you can aim at something and get it.
Congratulations once more. However, after the champagne bottles are long emptied and the music stopped, you will realise that campaigning and winning was the easy part. The hard part now begins and this is where you roll your sleeves and get down to work.
Here is my list which I hope will help guide you as you navigate your way in the brand new world you find yourself in.
Seize the moment. You are taking office with an overwhelming goodwill. Never since the first term of Mwai Kibaki has anyone taken over an elective office with such optimism being bestowed upon him. It is up to you to define what you want to be remembered for.
HIGHER OFFICES
Many men have held that office and gone on to higher offices. People like Kenneth Matiba, my all time favourite Joab Omino, Peter Kenneth and Clement Gachanja all passed through football administration. Whether you will follow in their footsteps or you will be a footnote in history is for you to decide.
Get a good public relations manager to prop up your image. I said as much on a Facebook post on Friday and some of your supporters went hammers and tongs at my neck. This is the in thing all over the world. Barack Obama has legions of them. Ditto Uhuru Kenyatta and Donald Trump. You are no longer Nick but now a brand. A professional PR guru will help you get your message across very comfortably and effectively.
Develop a thick skin. We in the media are your allies. We will praise you to high heavens when you do the right thing. On the flip side if you get out of line we can be brutal and slash your wrists and watch you bleed. I know it’s not fair but what the heck, you can’t have everything you want in life, can you Nick? I knew you would agree with me.
Take us to the World Cup. For the love of Saint Nicholas, please take us to the World Cup. I see you have set a target of 2022 and I am one of the hopeless romantics who agree with you. This country has got talent which, if well managed, can take us to the world stage.
Will you be that man? Finally, I wish you all the best. Rest assure that one year from now, God willing, I will be knocking on your door with a report card on your performance as a fresher. Adios!
