Kenya has good role models that business leaders can emulate

It is the duty of a leader of a family business to identify and follow in the footsteps of others that have achieved significant milestones. FILE 

By Peter Mutua

In Summary

• The world does not lack role models even after the death of Mandela, so let’s continue dreaming to make a difference.

He should behave like those archers who, if they are skilful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target. - Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

With the death of Nelson Mandela, there is a tendency to act as if the world no longer has role models worthy of emulation, especially not for leaders. This is not true.

Until his appointment as a commissioner in the National Police Service Commission, Major (Rtd) Muiu enjoyed an idyllic life on his farm just outside Sultan Hamud, Makueni County. With his wife Esther, they started a girls school, engaged in ranching and quarrying on their farm.

The Muius did not and do live the grandiose retirement the present generation is encouraged to save up for; theirs remains a quiet peaceful sunset for a couple in a long term marriage.

Peter Njeru and his wife Dorcas, proprietors of Riva Petroleum, are proof that a family business can get to the big leagues without losing the focus on important family relationships.

Their partnership symbolises everything good that can come out of a couple that chooses to focus on a particular business venture in a dynamic sector of the economy.

Tim and Anne Mahinda, founders and operators of the Lukenya Getaway in Athi River, are yet another testimony of the excellent combination of marriage and business. For more than 15 years, the Mahindas have started and grown business ventures as individuals and as a couple, complementing one another.

Dr. Jackie Othoro, associate pastor at Nairobi Chapel, proves that one does not have to be married to contribute to the establishment and perpetuation of family focused enterprises.

Having faithfully served in this growing urban church, she is testament that singlehood is not a obstacle to effective service; that it can be used to great advantage by leaders in family focused enterprises.

Age need not be a barrier to starting in an enterprise. Chris Lati established a successful dairy farm in the environs of Emali town after retiring from a long, illustrious career as an intelligence officer.

With his wife Rebecca, they have established a flourishing restaurant in the Emali town where they are an integral part of the local business community.

None of these individuals live gaudy, ostentatious lives. While all are well known in their particular sectors or areas of operation, none go out of their way to seek fame or draw attention to themselves.

All pursue their callings quietly and diligently, doing their best to positively affect those closet to them. All are testimonies that there are good role models available for leaders of family business at every stage and for every condition of life.

Leaders ought to find and follow examples of people who conduct themselves admirably. While those who commendably run the race of life may be few and far between, they are sufficient in number to motivate those behind to pursue lives of virtue.

Having excellent role models maintains the correct perception that a life without regrets is well within the reach of any determined human being encourages people to live lives worthy of emulation by others and keeps leaders focused on admirable long term objectives that transcend their own lives.