“He who guards his mouth preserves his life, he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3
Barely 4 months after she was elected as the first female Governor of Meru County, no mean feat in a community that is patriarchal, Kawira Mwangaza now finds herself fighting for her life in office from an Impeachment motion following utterances she allegedly made, acts of omission and commission she allegedly committed that made 67/69 MCAs vote to impeach her.
I couldn’t help but wonder, why would all the MCAs want her out of office this early? Couldn’t dialogue have been used to solve the standoff? Did it have to get to an impeachment motion? What is this wrong that she committed that is so big to warrant her removal from office after barely 4 months in office?
But what is gross misconduct?
I am not a lawyer and so I may not be able to define the term accurately but from my own limited understanding, gross misconduct for a governor may involve behavior that is illegal, unethical, or seriously damaging to the reputation or integrity of the office of the governor. It may include actions such as corruption, abuse of power, or gross negligence in the performance of duties. I have listened to the arguments presented by both sides and I am persuaded to take the view that she may be guilty of misconduct but whether they were gross I am not qualified to make that deduction for that requires wisdom beyond me.
The Little Secret
The secret to impactful leadership is to have a reputation that helps you to advance your agenda and create impact for the people that you lead.
“A reputation is like a shadow. It is gigantic when it precedes you, and a mere vapor when it follows.” – Mark Twain
I have followed the drama that has been unfolding in Meru County with keen interest mainly out of curiosity and also because I am a political communication strategist. As an outsider looking inwards, I opine that her reputation hit her on the head with a hammer. I strongly believe she had the power to diffuse the tension as a senior leader. I presuppose that the MCAs found the governor a difficult person to deal with and opted to send her home mainly due to the reputation that she had built for herself. She has come to be known for something, a certain way of doing things, a certain way of addressing issues that sit sit well with many people.
Reputation is a powerful tool for political leaders. It is the lifeline of leadership. It can shape how people perceive them, influence their decisions and actions, and ultimately determine their success or failure in office.
Benefits of Good Reputation
Political leaders who have a strong reputation are often seen as more trustworthy, competent, and capable of handling challenges. This can help them gain the support and confidence of their constituents, as well as the respect and cooperation of their peers. A good reputation can also open doors and create opportunities for political leaders, such as attracting donors, building alliances, and securing endorsements.
It is therefore important for leaders to be aware of their reputation and to strive to maintain a good one for a good reputation can do you no harm.
Dangers of Bad Reputation.
A bad reputation like a rotten potato will seriously injure a political career in a number of ways.
First, a bad reputation can significantly damage a political career because it can erode public trust and confidence in the individual. When a politician has a bad reputation, it can be difficult for them to effectively represent their constituents and advance their agenda. People may be less likely to support or vote for a politician with a bad reputation, and the individual may face increased scrutiny and criticism from the media and the public. If the public does not trust a politician, they are less likely to engage with them, support their policies, and also vote for them.
Second, a bad reputation can also harm a politician’s ability to work effectively with other politicians and stakeholders. If a politician is seen as untrustworthy or unpopular, they may have difficulty building the necessary coalitions and alliances to get things done. This can limit their influence and effectiveness, both within their own political party, their constituency and in the broader political system.
Thirdly, in some cases, a bad reputation like weeds on the farm may be lead to a leader being forcefully removed from office through an impeachment or forced resignation.
Finally, political leaders who have poor reputations may struggle to win future elections, advance their agendas, and achieve their goals. They may also face greater scrutiny and criticism from the media, the public, and their opponents. A tarnished reputation can even jeopardize a political leader’s career, as it can erode their credibility and undermine their credibility and authority for future leadership roles.
Others have gone before her
I am reminded of Richard Nixon: Nixon was the President of the United States from 1969 to 1974. His reputation was dented after he was accused of covering up illegal activities by his administration during the Watergate scandal and he subsequently was forced to resign from office.
In recent times we have seen governors Mike Sonko and Baba Yao impeached for gross misconduct as governors of Nairobi County and Kiambu County respectively.
But Not All is Lost
“A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.” – Joseph Hall
As Governor Kawira Mwangaza trudges with a dark cloud hanging over her head and hoping for the best, and regardless of the outcome, she must take a good look at herself as advised by the committee members hearing her case. She must rebuild her image and reputation for even the good book tells us, “A man’s reputation is worth more than a thousand silver coins.” – Ecclesiastes 7:1
She must deliberately shade off her competitive nature to be motherly; learn to respond to criticism and challenges in a thoughtful and respectful manner; and use dialogue and empathy to engage her constituents and fellow leaders in order to build a reputation that will serve her political career not just during the current term in governor’s office and even in the future. Most importantly she must have the wisdom to listen to other leaders for he who does not seek the advice of others is like a carpenter who does not measure before cutting the wood.
It would also aid her reign if she would lean on the experience and knowledge of strong and trusted advisors. I encourage her to even consider getting help from resourceful persons that she can trust from the previous regimes, because of institutional memory, since the objective is to make Meru County work for the benefit of her people.
I hasten to add that she must also realize that she’s the leader of all Meru residents including the MCAs and therefore she is called to demonstrate magnanimity during this difficult time since she held to higher standard than other leaders in the county. Being at loggerheads with MCAs will only make her life and reign difficult. Remember when the mouse challenged the tiger to a fight and the tiger declined, not because it could not win but because even accepting that challenge in the first place was demeaning the stature of a tiger.
In conclusion, a leader’s reputation is important because it influences the way others perceive them and determines whether they will be trusted or not. If a leader has a bad reputation, it can be difficult for them to gain the respect and support of their team or community. It can also make it harder for them to accomplish their goals and be successful in their role.
A good reputation, opens doors and create opportunities for a leader to make a positive impact. Reputation is something all leaders should prioritize and work to maintain throughout their careers. That REPUTATION is what is called a brand.
