Vietnam Gas boss criticizes Kenya's lack of long term vision

Vietnam Gas President, Doanh Chau, has criticized African leadership, with Kenya specifically singled out for lacking a long-term vision and a robust execution culture, which he believes are major obstacles to the continent’s advancement.

During his visit to Nairobi, after meetings with President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Chau expressed frustration over the slow pace of development in Kenya, despite the government's ambitious plans for economic transformation and infrastructure development.

Chau further emphasized that while Kenya’s leadership often makes bold statements about its future growth, the reality on the ground suggests a significant gap between vision and execution.

He painted a bleak picture of the country's investment climate, pointing out that the government’s failure to turn plans into tangible results is undermining efforts to attract investors and stimulate meaningful change.

"I met with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and President William Ruto in Nairobi. They spoke with energy about Kenya’s future—investment, infrastructure, public housing," he wrote on his LinkedIn page.

"But behind the polished language was a painful truth: there is no serious execution culture."

Chau argued that the key issue in Kenya and much of Africa lies not in a shortage of resources or talent, but in a system that prioritizes short-term political gains over long-term sustainable development.

"Leaders often make grand statements, but the systems remain stagnant. Rather than creating an environment conducive to business, they wait for foreign investments to come," he said.

He highlighted the electricity supply as a prime example, comparing Kenya to his home country, Vietnam.

Chau pointed out that the government only seems to take action when preparing for a donor visit or an international summit.

"Vietnam, with a population of 100 million, generates over 70 GW of power. In contrast, Kenya, with 50 million people, only produces 4 GW. This isn’t a minor issue—it’s essential for economic growth. No investor is going to establish a factory in a place where power outages are a daily occurrence," he emphasized.

Chau believes that the primary obstacle to Africa's development is not external, but rather a mindset issue. According to him, Africa is not lacking in potential, but rather in the shift of mindset required to unlock that potential.

Leadership should move away from prioritizing short-term goals, like preparing for the next donor visit or summit, and instead focus on building systems that attract both local and global investments, reward innovators, and ensure consistent progress.

In his closing remarks, Chau urged grassroots leaders to take charge in addressing energy challenges, offering his support for solar-powered microgrids.

“If you are ready to initiate a solar energy project that reflects the needs of your community, I am committed to supporting you,” he stated.

“I will provide solar panels and energy storage solutions to help establish microgrids—independent, sustainable power sources that don't rely on distant, complex government programs.”

The CEO concluded with a call to action, saying, “Let’s collaborate and demonstrate the power of compassion, dedication, and community in driving change.”

His final remark was a stark warning: "The global window is closing. Asia is advancing. If Kenya and much of Africa hope to secure a viable economic future, they must stop talking and start acting."

This candid critique of Kenya's governance sparked a wave of reactions across social media, with numerous Kenyans aligning with his perspective and criticizing the Ruto administration.