10 things Uhuru Kenyatta can do in his retirement

Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's 4th President has finished his Constitutional two terms and has hanged his political boots.

COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli is among the leaders who insisted that at 61 years, Uhuru will be too young to retire from politics.

With regards his next course of life, it is only Uhuru himself who knows. But these are the 10 things that he can venture into in is retirement.

Chairing Regional Peace Initiatives

Uhuru's tenure has its success and failures. But one success that many pundits agree on is that his administration ensured that Kenya's foreign policy in the global eye is elevated.

A year after his 2013 inauguration, Uhuru's government launched a document that outlined Kenya’s diplomatic engagements and foreign relations, the country's first written foreign policy since independence. 

During his inauguration speech at Kasarani Stadium, President William Ruto hinted that Uhuru had agreed to continue chairing the region's peace initiatives even in his retirement. Even Ruto acknowledged that Uhuru had done tremendously well in ensuring peace within and beyond the East African Region.

"On peace initiative in our region, in Ethiopia and the Great Lakes region, I have asked my elder brother President Uhuru Kenyatta who has done commendable engagement with those regions and he has graciously agreed to continue chairing those discussion on behalf of the Government of Kenya," Ruto said.

So this can be the engagements that will keep Uhuru busy in his retirement.

'Prof. Uhuru Kenyatta'!

A young Uhuru attended St. Mary’s School in Nairobi. He then went on to study political science and economics at Amherst College in Massachusetts, U.S. Upon his return to Kenya, he started a horticultural business and later ventured into politics. In 1997, he unsuccessfully vied for the Gatundu South MP seat - a seat once held by his father - but lost to Moses Mwihi. 

In 1999, then President Daniel Moi appointed him to chair the Kenya Tourism Board and in 2001, he was nominated to Parliament and appointed as Minister for Local Government. In 2002, he vied for presidency but lost and since then, he went on to be Kenya's president from 2013 to 2022.

This shows that he has never found time to advance his education. As they say, "learning is an endless journey". Uhuru can use the ample time in his retirement and acquire a Masters and a PhD, and become a professor in his field.

Governance consultancy

After acquiring a masters or PhD in his political science field, laced with the huge experience he has in local and international politics, Uhuru can venture into consultancy in his retirement.

Who wouldn't want to be advised by a man who was born from a powerful political family, and went on the be Kenya's 4th President?

He can advice Kenya's and foreign governments on peace talks, bearing in mind the good work he did with the Ethiopia's Tigray crisis.

Write, promote a presidential memoir

Though not a writer himself, Uhuru can employ the services of an writer to help him craft his presidential memoir. A memoir in which he will highlight his journey to presidency, the intrigues of the presidency, the highs and lows as well as his 10-year stay at the House on the hill (State House).

The promotional tour to support its release can also be good for him.

Join the paid-speaking circuit

After a break from the public eye following the end of their tenures, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush tapped into the 'lucrative' paid-speaking circuit that has enriched so many other former presidents and first ladies.

In fact in 2016, Politico reported that Bush was making  between $100,000 and $175,000 for every speech he gives and that he has given at least 200 speeches since leaving office in 2009. 

With his global connections, Uhuru can speak at corporate conventions, charity fundraisers and business conferences just like his counterparts, be it at a fee or volunteering.

Become Kenya's goodwill ambassador

During his tenure as Kenya's president, Uhuru won many international awards and accolades. He was voted Africa’s President of the year 2014/2015 for his outstanding leadership. He was picked for the prestigious Africa Education and Leadership Awards for his ability to build consensus locally and abroad.

The International Telecommunications Union also awarded Uhuru a prestigious award for promoting the use of ICT for sustainable development.

The 'ICTs in Sustainable Development Award' honours the important contributions made by leaders, on behalf of their country, towards harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for sustainable development.

Managing family’s extensive business

He may have had the privilege of coming from a rich family, but that does not mean that Uhuru sat pretty and waited to be spoon-fed. He has always had an eye for business.

After his college in the U.S, he came home and got a job as a teller at Kenya Commercial Bank, Kipande House Branch. At 28, he quit the job and started his vegetable selling business. He once told a story of how he used to buy vegetables from farmers using a pick-up truck before transporting them to different markets. It is after this that he scaled up and started a company - Wilham Kenya Limited - through which he sourced and exported agricultural produce.

Obviously Uhuru took a break from managing this businesses when he entered politics. But in his retirement, he can decided to pay much attention to his business ventures.

Vie for Gatundu MP seat

While the Constitution bars him from vying for presidency ever again, Uhuru can still vie for an MP or Senate seat if he wishes to.

As a former minister of local government, he can be an effective governor too.

Retire and spend time with family

In his own rights, Uhuru has already reached the self-actualisation point according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Having accomplished what he has, Uhuru can decided to indeed retire and spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Holiday with Margaret

He can also promise Margaret nice vacations going forward now that the 'burden' of the presidency is off him. Trips to undeclared destinations will mark as another good chapter in his family's life.