On its eighth stretch, the Louis Otieno Road Show pitched in Nyeri to discuss Leadership and the growth of democracy. The panel comprised political leaders from Central province with an audience from the region.

The show reflected on the role that leaders played in expanding freedom and democracy. It was felt that good leaders also opened new frontiers for people to overcome poverty and enhance development. Hence, the choice of leadership was critical.

There was unanimity that freedom was not a privilege and conserve of political leaders but an entitlement of all people. Elections however presented the opportunity to elect the calibre of leaders able to set clear standards. Since elections were mere events, constant and continuing dialogue between leaders and the electorate was necessary to strengthen delivery on promises by elected leaders.

This requires leaders to see themselves as servants in the service of the people as opposed to pursuing their selfish interests. Such servant leadership recognized the importance of harnessing peoples' popular participation in the design and management of development programmes such as the management of the Community Development Fund.

There was strong sentiment that whereas leaders should be judged on the basis of their competence and qualities, money had become an important factor in determining the electorate' choice. But beyond the dishing out of handouts, issues were also increasingly becoming an important plank in the election of leaders.

The dominance of politics in certain areas by a certain crop of leaders, often over a long period of time, was viewed as an obstacle to nurturing a new generation of leaders and expanding democratic choice. It especially stifled opportunity for youthful and new leaders.

It was felt that the youth should be drawn more actively into leadership roles beyond being merely facilitated to improve their economic status through schemes such as the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. Youth leadership could be nurtured through integrating them in community and national programmes that instilled in them, a sense of nationhood and belonging.