“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 problem in Kenya and much of Africa was not a lack of money or talent but a system deeply entrenched in short-term political performances rather than sustainable development.
“Leaders talk big, but systems don’t move. They wait for outsiders to bring business, rather than build an environment for it,” he lamented.
He used the electricity supply as a key indicator to draw comparisons between Kenya and his home country, Vietnam claiming that the government only performs when preparing for the next donor visit or summit.
“Vietnam: 100 million people, over 70 GW of power. Kenya: 50 million people, only 4 GW. This is not a side issue, it’s the foundation of economic development. No investor will build a factory where the lights flicker every day,” he said.
Chau was especially critical of Kenya’s infrastructure priorities, citing the Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway as a flashy but disconnected investment.
“The government built a fancy expressway from Nairobi to Mombasa, without an export industry to support it. Meanwhile, millions live in slums and huts, with no access to reliable utilities,” he added.
He also pointed to Kenya’s underwhelming tourism experience as another missed opportunity.
“Safari bookings require 90-minute check-ins at park gates, even with reservations. After 9 pm, everything closes. There’s nothing for visitors to experience or spend on beyond a Masai market that’s essentially a souvenir stand,” Chau said.
On housing, Chau noted that President Ruto’s plans for public housing were unlikely to attract serious investors due to “petty corruption and legal instability.”
“There are no credible incentives, no serious risk guarantees. In short, no real initiative to make it happen,” he said.
He contrasted this with Asia’s approach, where leaders are more focused on delivery than display.
“Leaders are up at 5 am working on execution, not speeches. Power supply is constant. Policies are consistent and data-driven. Incentives align with performance,” he said.
For Chau, the real barrier to Africa’s growth is not external, it’s mental. “Africa doesn’t lack potential, it lacks a mindset shift. Leadership must stop performing for the next donor visit or summit. It must build systems that attract local and global investment, reward builders, and guarantee follow-through.”
In conclusion, Chau appealed to grassroots leaders to take initiative in solving energy problems, promising support for solar-based microgrids.
“If you’re ready to take the first step toward a solar energy project rooted in your local realities, I promise I will be there with you,” he said.
“I will bring solar panels and energy storage systems to help build microgrids—small, self-sufficient sources of power that don’t depend on distant, complicated government programs.”
He added, “Let’s work together and show what’s possible when compassion, commitment and community lead the way.”
His parting shot? “The global window is closing. Asia isn’t waiting. If Kenya and much of Africa want a real economic future, they must turn off the microphone—and turn on the power.”
The CEO’s blunt review of the broken Kenyan governance system attracted reactions from thousands of Kenyans on social media, with many supporting his views and joining him in blasting the Ruto-led administration.
Expressing his stance on the matter, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said: “When we say Kenyans elected people with big English, big words, big cars, big bank accounts, big choppers, big lies but small brains, we mean it. The world is disappointed with everyone in Ruto government.”
“Kenya needs a dedicated team of leaders with clear vision, charisma, focused, enthusiastic and smart. Kenya is supposed to be Africa’s finest economically. Kenya needs a renaissance.”
Martin Mwanza also agreed with the Vietnamese CEO, writing, “We seem to tolerate corruption, appointing corrupt people to government positions and expecting better results; how stupid are we, while countries like China hang corrupt people and Vietnam hangs drug lords instead of giving them state jobs? In Kenya, we steal from taxes, loans, and even steal government land. We steal everything, including cemeteries; how can we expect to develop like nations such as Singapore when we lack leadership and commitment?”
President Ruto is renowned for his oratory skills, persuasive language and eloquent rhetoric, which may probably have convinced investors to flood the Kenyan market, but President Chao now asks, at what cost?
By Kenneth Gachie
