Former Chief Justice David Maraga has asked national leaders and managers to be authentic for the country to grow socially and economically.

In particular, he said, men should start by being authentic leaders in their families and start early to mentor their children to be the same. “Mothers and children have been complaining that we have become absentee fathers and husbands. We need to change and start inspiring children from a young age,” he said.

He was speaking during the launch of a book titled ‘101 Authentic Leadership Lessons,” by Dr Jackline Nyaberi at the Pan African Hotel in Nairobi last week. The author is a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s School of Public Health. A fellow of the inaugural Kofi Annan Global Health Leader, Africa CDC, the researcher is a World Health Organisation Consultant on health and migration, CEO of Capstone Leadership and Development as well as the Ayanna Health Foundation. 

“This book stands out as one of the recent publications with an authentic value system. Leaders must aspire to inspire. Authentic leadership is about honesty and Kenyan political leaders must first become honest,” Maraga said. 

Mount Kenya University  Pro-Chancellor, Dr Vincent Gaitho lauded Dr Nyaberi for writing a book that is a challenge to political leaders and the Kenyan society, which is riddled with corruption.  “The author is a former colleague at MKU and she has even written about her humble beginnings in the Kisii community. If her story disappointed her, we would not be here today.”

Prof Florence Memba, the Dean, School of Business and Entrepreneurship at JKUAT, told leaders to stop pretending but to learn to know and acknowledge their own limits. “Our leaders need to do a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of themselves. Authentic leadership has been here since the days of Greek civilisation; now Dr Nyaberi has brought it here to Kenya,” she added.  

Call to servanthood

Dr Anne Mwasi, CEO and board secretary, Nyamira County Government, termed the book launch a celebration.  “Leadership is a calling for servanthood. What we need is a transformation about how managers in the public sector work. There is need to nurture those below you and mentor,” she said.     

Dr Nyamberi says her book targets inspirational leaders, serving leaders and the young generation to form a battalion of authentic leadership. “As the author, I strongly believe that authentic leadership is the only hidden gem for changing the scenario in Africa for Africans with regard to leadership,” she said.

The book can be ordered using social media, or at Nuria in Nairobi.