News

Dr Richard Leakey led dream team that President Moi created

Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 07:30 | By
Titus Naikuni. Photo/Courtesy

Reeling from an underperforming economy, corruption and inefficiency in the civil service, former President Daniel Moi chose to seek services of a group of technocrats from the private sector to rectify the situation.

The team that was succinctly referred to as the “Dream Team” had firm instructions to save the face of Kenya, which had strained badly with international donors, who had opted to stop funding, citing runaway corruption in government.

Renowned palaeontologist, Dr Richard Leakey was picked to head the team in a move that shocked many, including even those who were in the inner circles of the Moi administration.

‘In appointing Leakey, Moi – who three years earlier had branded the global conservation icon “a  foreigner unsuitable for any public office” – said, “(He is) recognised, both at home and internationally, as a man of determination and integrity ... attributes which are greatly needed at this time.

He will have my complete and undivided support,” an article by the Kenya Year Book states.

Donors, including the World Bank and the International Monitory Fund, were inserting pressure on Kenya to accept the structural adjustment programmes but Moi was not willing to.

Reform package included massive retrenchment in the civil service to reduce the wage bill, elimination of price controls and privatisation of several State agencies.

Others in the team included Martin Oduor-Otieno, picked from Barclays Bank of Kenya and appointed Finance Permanent Secretary while Titus Naikuni was poached from Magadi Soda Company and appointed PS in the Transport Ministry.

Dr Wilfred Mwangi was picked to be Energy PS, Kitili Mbathi (Investments Secretary), Shem Migot-Adhola (Agriculture PS) and Mwanghazi Mwachofi (Finance Secretary).

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT