Rising Absenteeism Among Leaders Undermines Success

The frequent absence of office holders in public institutions, including universities and colleges, has become a significant concern, yet it often goes unnoticed. These individuals are entrusted with vital responsibilities to serve and deliver essential services to those in need.

It is disheartening to witness their repeated absences during official working hours—sometimes not once or twice, but multiple times a week. This behavior reflects a lack of professionalism and a disregard for the ethical obligations they undertook when assuming their roles.

While charity begins at home, it shouldn't end there. Absence from the office without official communication is unacceptable and deserves to be addressed due to its impact on those seeking services. This tone may seem bitter, but it is a call for accountability. Vacancies slow down the delivery of essential services, potentially triggering a cascade of negative consequences.

The phrase "I was attending to official duties" often serves as an excuse for absence. Ironically, those who use this excuse typically have deputies and assistants who could act on their behalf, yet these offices often remain closed. This raises questions about the necessity of these assistants if they cannot fulfill their roles in the absence of their superiors.

In their quest for authority, students may miss out on scholarships because they cannot obtain a necessary stamp, and job seekers may remain unemployed due to the area chief's absence when a document requires a signature. These are just a few examples of the far-reaching consequences of this issue. You will often find the same absent leaders addressing audiences about mental health, ironically contributing to the stress they claim to mitigate.

Many people across various sectors have faced frustrations and missed opportunities due to this mediocrity, which has become normalized and threatens to turn into a culture.

A solid moral compass dictates that when someone can no longer serve effectively, they should resign to make way for someone more qualified to fulfill the responsibilities of their office. Although the comfort of tea and mandazis in those offices may be hard to relinquish, the needs of the many far outweigh the desires of the individual if we aspire to build a nation of accountable citizens.

I believe a solution exists for this growing problem. Offices should implement a feedback system managed by a competent team to collect reviews, suggestions, and even compliments. Such feedback should be taken seriously, with highlighted areas addressed to ensure accountability and keep office holders motivated.

Additionally, remote administrative options could be introduced to streamline service delivery, reducing long queues and saving time. In an age where technology advances daily, achieving effective service delivery should not be a daunting task.

As a parting shot, dear office holders, commit to serving those you represent with the same passion and enthusiasm you had when you were appointed or elected. Wear the same smile you do on payday and strive to be guided by moral and ethical obligations. This commitment will bring us closer to our collective goal of building a responsible nation.