Tanzania predicted to overtake Kenya, Ruto’s appointments blamed
By David Nthua, July 29, 2025Ahmed Hashi, one of the governance experts, has said Tanzania is likely to overtake Kenya in terms of overall development, pointing to a more conducive environment that gives room for real work to happen.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Hashi said that Tanzania has managed to structure its politics and society in a way that supports progress, unlike Kenya.
Too much politics
According to Hashi, Kenya is currently struggling because of poor leadership decisions and endless political noise, which have slowed down service delivery and real development on the ground.
“The way Tanzania has structured their politics and society, it will overtake us. We need a working nation. The problem with the government is statecraft, because the president has brought about a tribal grouping in government and incompetent people,” Hashi said.
He added that Kenya’s current government is too focused on political survival rather than building strong systems and solving real problems affecting citizens. He also criticised the frequent political gatherings and power struggles that have taken the attention of top leaders away from service delivery.
Favouritism hurting progress
Hashi pointed out that tribal appointments and favouritism in the public service have hurt national unity and led to the placement of unqualified people in important government offices.
“People are being appointed not based on merit but because of where they come from or who they know. That is not how you build a strong and fair country,” he said.
He praised Tanzania for keeping its political environment stable and focused, saying it allows leaders and civil servants to do their jobs without too much distraction.
Hashi urged Kenyans to start demanding real reforms and not just promises from leaders. He said Kenya still has the potential to lead the region but only if it puts the right people in charge and gives less time to politics.
So far, the Kenyan government has not responded to Hashi’s remarks.