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Tyranny of Small Decisions: A Threat to Kenya's Progress

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Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 1 min read

This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.

Published on October 23, 2019, by Sammy Kwinga, a renowned author, this article explores the relevance of the tyranny of small decisions to Kenya's political landscape.

The theory, which describes how many small decisions can lead to a negative and undesirable outcome, has been applied to various fields, including politics, the environment, and health.

Garrett Hardin's classic example of the tragedy of the commons illustrates how individual self-interest can lead to the degradation of a shared resource. Similarly, in Kenya, the cumulative effects of individual decisions can have a significant impact on the country's progress.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to extend his hand to Opposition leader Raila Odinga in March 2018 is a prime example of how the tyranny of small decisions can be overcome. By shaking hands with his opponent, President Kenyatta demonstrated a willingness to put the interests of the nation above his own.

As German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, 'We cannot be shackled to history, but we certainly can learn from it.' President Kenyatta's decision to consult with the leader of the opposition is a testament to his commitment to learning from the past and shaping a better future for Kenya.

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