Media personality Oga Obinna has questioned whether Kenyans who praise Rwanda are ready for the kind of leadership that drives its progress.
He made the remarks on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during his Oga Obinna Live show.
Obinna argued that much of what works in Rwanda is driven by dictatorship.
“Controversial, but I mean well”
Obinna opened his remarks with a warning that they would spark debate, but said his intentions were good.
“What I am about to say is going to be controversial. But I mean well. Most of the things that are working in Rwanda are working through dictatorship,” he said.
He argued that Kenyans often complain when leaders take firm action, yet still want the country to develop like Rwanda. He questioned whether the public would accept similar decisions from the Kenyan president.
According to Obinna, Kenya may want to match Rwanda’s achievements but may not be ready for the level of control he believes comes with them.
“Most Kenyans would not survive in Rwanda for one week.”
A question of direction
Obinna compared the two countries’ leadership styles, saying Rwanda has made progress because its president gives clear directions and expects them to be followed.
In Kenya, he argued, presidential instructions are met with resistance. He said the same approach would likely face pushback here, as citizens may not accept leaders taking charge in a similar way.
“That mkiletewa the same Kenya, mna complain. But you want Kenya to be like Rwanda? If the president wants to be like the Rwandan president, mnaleta mushki. Most Kenyans would not survive in Rwanda for one week,” he said.
He argued that people who want Kenya to follow Rwanda’s example may not be comfortable with the strict approach they associate with its leadership. In his view, the country must weigh its wish for similar progress against the level of control involved.
“We might want to be like Rwanda, but we are not ready for people to take charge.”
Obinna said the difference lies in how directives are received in each country.
“Huko president akisema ni left, ni left. Huku president akisema ni left, huyu ako huku…” he said.
He maintained that Kenya’s wish to achieve similar progress must be weighed against the style of leadership needed to pursue it. Kenyans, he suggested, may admire Rwanda but remain unwilling to accept the same level of control.
