KENYA'S BIG TALK, NO POWER: VIETNAM ENERGY CHIEF TELLS IT AS IT IS

Vietnam Gas President Doanh Chau has launched a scathing critique of Kenya’s development approach, accusing the country’s leadership of lacking the execution culture necessary for real economic transformation.

Chau, who recently met with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and President William Ruto in Nairobi, said that while the two leaders speak with enthusiasm about investment and infrastructure, the reality on the ground tells a different story.

“Kenya’s real problem is not a lack of money or talent,” he said. “It’s the absence of long-term vision and the dominance of short-term gain. Leaders talk big, but systems don’t move.”

Chau pointed to the country’s electricity supply as a key indicator of underdevelopment. Kenya, with a population of around 50 million, produces only 4 gigawatts of electricity—compared to Vietnam’s 70 gigawatts for a population of 100 million.

“This is not a side issue—it’s the foundation of economic development,” Chau emphasized. “No investor will build a factory where the lights flicker every day.”

The energy expert contrasted Kenya’s situation with the strategic planning of countries like Vietnam and Singapore, where power generation, policy consistency, and performance-based incentives are prioritized.

He also took aim at Kenya’s infrastructure spending, calling the Nairobi–Mombasa expressway a misplaced priority. “There is no export industry to support it. Meanwhile, millions live in slums without basic utilities,” he noted.

Chau further cited tourism inefficiencies such as long safari gate check-ins and a lack of engaging activities after dark, saying these gaps limit Kenya’s ability to fully capitalize on its natural assets.

On housing and investment, he warned that corruption, legal instability, and weak guarantees are turning away international backers. “There are no credible incentives, no serious risk guarantees. In short, no real initiative to make it happen,” he said.

Chau’s concluding remarks carried a sharp warning for Kenya and the broader African continent.

“The global window is closing. Asia isn’t waiting,” he said. “If Kenya and much of Africa want a real economic future, they must turn off the microphone—and turn on the power.”