Observations Of Kenya
I recently returned from Kenya, a country where we lived for fourteen years from the mid ‘70’s through the ‘80’s. I readily admit that my experience with the business community is limited as most of my time there was focused on non-profit work. My reflections in this post, therefore, are more of an observer of culture than insights on business practices. But knowing the language, as well as the rules of how they play the game of life, gives me an advantage that many others do not have. My observations
Progress is a mixed bag. If one measures progress by how many new malls or supermarkets that have been built in the past fifteen years, you’d have to say Kenya is moving forward. Kenyans today do not suffer the shortages of flour, cooking oil and cement, as was the case when we lived in the country. The shelves are well stocked and variety, though still not extensive, is prevalent.
Communication is another great leap forward in Kenya. It’s hard to believe that the little town of Kitale, where we use to live, has moved from “trunk calls” (making a reservation with the local operator for in-country and overseas calls) to cell phones. Internet, however, is another matter. Whether in Kitale, Nairobi or Mombassa, I found it nearly impossible to access my email. If one is diligent it can be done, but when you have to exercise the virtue of patience just to read your mail, you realize that the country still has away to go before being truly integrated into the rest of the world.
The shift of economic power is slowly shifting. In the “old days,” all of the economic control rested in the hands of the Gujarati businessmen from India. Though the Asian population still holds significant economic clout, there is a steady increase in Kenyan owned business. Of course this is a positive development, though it has its negatives due to the great bane of the society…corruption.
Every society has corruption and probably the corruption in Kenya is not as great as in other African countries. Corruption, in my opinion, is a result of two factors: lack of resources and ethnic discrimination. When a country is “emerging,” it means that economic growth is on the rise, but does not mean everyone is enjoying the fruits of expansion. Unfortunately, those who do possess the power or privileges exploit it for further gain. Financial aid from other countries does make a positive impact for the country, but by the time the funds “funnel down,” to the general population it is so diminished that progress moves at a snails pace. Corruption reaps corruption. Because the Shillings are few, everyone from policeman, headmasters and church leaders use their positions as leverage for self-promotion rather than societal development. What I observed in Kenya is that the rich are indeed doing well, the poor remain the same and there is virtually no middle class.
Ethnic discrimination is a universal dilemma. In India it’s caste, in America and Europe it’s race, in Kenya it’s tribalism. In was interesting, as well as disheartening, to hear my friends, when talking about others, say, “Yeah, but he’s Kikuyu,” (or Luo, Pokot or Nandi). Every district is dominated by ruling tribes and outsiders from other tribes are blocked from even doing good things because “they are not one of us.” A nation cannot advance when there is a culture of ethnic discrimination.
What Kenya has going for it is that it still is a democracy. The political system is less than perfect and I realize that corruption and ethnic discrimination has the potential of ushering in a strongman to right the wrongs where the government is failing. But, I believe Kenya is still a country of great potential and, therefore, still worth investing in their future.
Progress is a mixed bag. If one measures progress by how many new malls or supermarkets that have been built in the past fifteen years, you’d have to say Kenya is moving forward. Kenyans today do not suffer the shortages of flour, cooking oil and cement, as was the case when we lived in the country. The shelves are well stocked and variety, though still not extensive, is prevalent.
Communication is another great leap forward in Kenya. It’s hard to believe that the little town of Kitale, where we use to live, has moved from “trunk calls” (making a reservation with the local operator for in-country and overseas calls) to cell phones. Internet, however, is another matter. Whether in Kitale, Nairobi or Mombassa, I found it nearly impossible to access my email. If one is diligent it can be done, but when you have to exercise the virtue of patience just to read your mail, you realize that the country still has away to go before being truly integrated into the rest of the world.
The shift of economic power is slowly shifting. In the “old days,” all of the economic control rested in the hands of the Gujarati businessmen from India. Though the Asian population still holds significant economic clout, there is a steady increase in Kenyan owned business. Of course this is a positive development, though it has its negatives due to the great bane of the society…corruption.
Every society has corruption and probably the corruption in Kenya is not as great as in other African countries. Corruption, in my opinion, is a result of two factors: lack of resources and ethnic discrimination. When a country is “emerging,” it means that economic growth is on the rise, but does not mean everyone is enjoying the fruits of expansion. Unfortunately, those who do possess the power or privileges exploit it for further gain. Financial aid from other countries does make a positive impact for the country, but by the time the funds “funnel down,” to the general population it is so diminished that progress moves at a snails pace. Corruption reaps corruption. Because the Shillings are few, everyone from policeman, headmasters and church leaders use their positions as leverage for self-promotion rather than societal development. What I observed in Kenya is that the rich are indeed doing well, the poor remain the same and there is virtually no middle class.
Ethnic discrimination is a universal dilemma. In India it’s caste, in America and Europe it’s race, in Kenya it’s tribalism. In was interesting, as well as disheartening, to hear my friends, when talking about others, say, “Yeah, but he’s Kikuyu,” (or Luo, Pokot or Nandi). Every district is dominated by ruling tribes and outsiders from other tribes are blocked from even doing good things because “they are not one of us.” A nation cannot advance when there is a culture of ethnic discrimination.
What Kenya has going for it is that it still is a democracy. The political system is less than perfect and I realize that corruption and ethnic discrimination has the potential of ushering in a strongman to right the wrongs where the government is failing. But, I believe Kenya is still a country of great potential and, therefore, still worth investing in their future.
posted by RG Lewis at 2:53 AM
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