Government is intricate in nature and running it is no stroll in the park. It demands strategic leadership, adaptability, collaboration and inclusive decision-making while aiming to serve the nation's diverse needs.
Government is made up of systems that connect an array of responsibilities, institutions, policies and stakeholders. While designed to serve and govern society, government complexity poses significant challenges, making effective management an uphill task.
Government in its nature holds myriad structures within Ministries, Departments and Agencies with multiple layers of hierarchy in it. This web of interconnected entities often impedes effective decision-making and efficient execution of policies. Red tape sets in with lengthy approval processes and overlapping responsibilities that often hinder progression.
Governments serve diverse and varying needs and priorities. Striking a balance of these interests while ensuring equitable policy execution can be a daunting task. Conflicting opinions among interest groups, political formations and citizens often complicate issues for government.
Managing, revising and updating a myriad of laws and regulations across sectors can lead to inefficiencies and barriers for businesses, hindering the socioeconomic growth and development of a country.
Government budgets must always strive to accommodate all sectors, from education to healthcare to defence to infrastructure and agriculture to managing subsidies for growth. Competing demands require careful planning and allocation of resources to achieve fiscal integrity. Inflation debt burdens and unforeseen crises further complicate financial management in a country.
With globalisation, the emergence of technological advancements and global interconnectedness, governments must adapt swiftly to remain in tandem. The pace of change often surpasses government's ability to respond effectively, leading to outdated policies and inadequate solutions to emerging issues.
Governments are shaped by the ever-changing nature of political formations marked by ideological differences, antagonistic power struggles and partisan interests. Such political shifts usually disrupt continuity and long-term planning, impacting the efficacy of governance. The demos that rocked Kenya's post-election period in 2022 are a clear example.
The emergence and deepening of social media and instantaneous correspondences have solidified public scrutiny and raised expectations for transparency and accountability for governments. This continues to pose significant challenges to regimes in power.
Demanding more responsibility from government and blaming it for little failures should be anchored on the foregoing appreciation. Let's therefore, give President William Ruto's government a lot of time to deliver on its blueprint.
Businessman