Nairobi, April 22 -- In 1991, President Moi appointed me the Minister for Industry. For the first time, I was to hold an office that was going to affect the lives of millions of people in the nation. It was humbling indeed!

When I was appointed Minister for Industry, I viewed that as a great honour. It was the culmination of an unlikely journey that started when colonial authorities plucked me out of my village and forced me into school. My rise had been meteoric.

As the Minister for Industry, I knew I wasn't the most suitable man to handle the docket. I was also aware that I wasn't the most qualified, but I was ready and willing to try my best.

So, when I accepted the job, I was aware that I was to act within the culture of top-down d...