On the last post I promised to talk about the life cycle of a leader and that’s exactly what am going to do.
History has shown that over time somebody with the traits of a leader will go through a series of phases before they get out of sight, much like the growth curve of a new product. This has been greatly manifested especially in here in Kenya.
ACTIVIST
We don’t to hit on specific people but when you look at today’s leaders at some point they were campaigning for some form of a cause, they appear in local dailies for their comments on the current issues. Today its leaning more on acting on the sitting leaders so that they oust them and guess what they get to the next step. Unfortunately most countries are making this a very hard phase due to assassination of activist or just violation of their basic rights. Hope you remember the infamous Nyayo torture chambers. On my opinion I Think COTU secretary General has spent just a little too much time in this phase.
ASPIRANT
After the activist has now enjoyed a passable amount publicity they now announce their intentions to be leaders. They will use the stuff they use to create awareness on as their stepping stone to win votes from the crowds if not just love. right about now as the battle lines are being drawn for 2012 almost every activist I have ever known has graduated over here.
LEADER
Courtesy of the much enjoyed publicity the aspirant has now been elected or won the elections which could be by any means unscrupulous included. As I have put it in a previous post its now “their turn to eat”. They may get a little bit greedy and it starts to show, as once writer said “stinking money”. Our Prime minister has successfully mastered this phase together with thee previous one.
VILLAIN
Just as the leader ousted one its now time to get ousted. They activists waiting to follow the chain and aspirants ready to replace them hence after some period in office where with real “eating ” or not they resign or as they love to call it step aside for investigations or just run out of favor with the people. And our president is right though he revokes love and hate in equal measure.