Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has urged heads of regulatory authorities across Kenya to adopt a forward-thinking mindset and pursue fresh approaches that support national development.
Addressing a gathering of top agency executives and government leaders at a dinner hosted at Eka Hotel in Eldoret, Miano pointed out that regulators should no longer operate with a narrow enforcement lens but rather act as catalysts for progress with an eye on long-term public value.
The event drew senior public officials, among them Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, several principal secretaries, and leaders from regulatory agencies.
It provided a rare space for key decision-makers to reflect on their changing duties in shaping the country’s future.
Miano, who previously headed KenGen before her appointment to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, drew from her years in public leadership to share practical insights.
She stressed that having a clear direction—and getting that message across to teams and stakeholders—is one of the most powerful tools any leader can wield.
“When I served at KenGen, our motto ‘lighting up Kenya sustainably’ was more than words—it guided everything from investing in clean energy to community partnerships,” she said.
She pointed out that regulators have a major role in determining the pace of economic activity, the public’s trust in government systems, and Kenya’s standing on the international stage.
Rather than being seen as obstacles or rule enforcers, she called on agencies to become solution drivers.
The Cabinet Secretary encouraged all public agencies to routinely review their priorities and align their goals with national development strategies like the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030.
She cautioned against vague direction or lack of focus, using a humorous metaphor that drew chuckles from the crowd: “A leader without clear goals is like a bee that doesn’t know how to collect nectar.”
Miano urged all those in regulatory roles to stay in close touch with the public they serve.
Reflecting on her time at KenGen, she recalled hosting regular open forums with communities impacted by energy projects.
According to her, these meetings created mutual understanding and long-term goodwill.
In her remarks, Miano also turned attention to digital tools, saying modern regulation demands smarter systems.
She pointed out that tools such as artificial intelligence and data analysis can make public institutions more responsive.
“Think of a scenario where the taxman uses intelligent software to spot tax cheats instantly or the financial watchdog catches fraud before it affects the market. These are not dreams—they are opportunities waiting to be embraced.”
But she made it clear that technology alone isn’t the answer.
Public institutions must invest in their staff.
Miano urged agencies to nurture future leaders through mentorships, academic partnerships, and hands-on training.
She called for open spaces within agencies where new ideas can be tested safely, through what she referred to as “sandbox environments.”
In her opinion, such models, she said, can open doors for creative problem-solving without putting public interest at risk.
In her closing statements, the Tourism CS spoke about the kind of leadership she believes Kenya needs: thoughtful, humble, and grounded in ethics.
She urged leaders to seek input from people with different views, welcome challenges to their thinking, and above all, listen more.
Through her message, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife continues to position itself as a promoter of ethical public service, national pride, and people-first governance—values that mirror its core goals of nurturing both the country’s natural beauty and the institutions that protect it.
