Politics and promises of a new economy

As obviously expected the mood in our country is that of high octane politics. With the general election about 18 months away this is to be realistically observed in our country.  What probably would be to remind or inform Kenyans on the importance of politics in their lives? Whether you are businessman, a professional, a student, an employee, a farmer, a civil servant, a corporate leader, a religious leader or whatever, politics affects you.  Politics everywhere in this world influences the way of life may it be economically, socially, freedom or generally all aspects of life.

Let’s take a study of a glaring case study. Compare South Korea and North Korea. These two countries are twins. They are the same country but divided due to a war in the 1950’s resulting from the competition between capitalism and communism ideologies. The two were separated as a result. They are the same people, same language and same geographical location. Today the two countries are world apart. South Korea is an economic powerhouse and has several global brands that have conquered the world. These include Samsung, LG, KIA, and Hyundai amongst others. Does anyone know any of North Korean products of repute in Kenya? Doubtful, South Korea is a small country. It is about a sixth of Kenya’s land mass. It could fit in what used to be the Coast Province of Kenya. It’s smaller than what used to be Rift Valley or then Eastern Province. It could possibly fit the counties of  Kiambu, Muranga’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru  what is referred to as Mt Kenya region. It could also be like the size of what used to be Nyanza and Western province combined. The country has a population of 51 million people bigger than Kenya. It is the 12th largest economy in the world in GDP terms (1.4 Trillion USD) and with a high Income per capita. Its economy is about 26 times bigger than Kenya (Kenya’s GDP 55 Billion USD).

Going north of these two siblings, North Korea is a basket case.  It is renowned for all the wrong reasons. Tyranny, poverty, disease, hunger and executions is the narrative that define the hermit kingdom. It is a closed state with little modern economy to talk of. To exert itself on the globe or to be seen to have some clout of any thinking, it spends a lot of its resources on nuclear weapons which it likes drawing the world attention to. In a nutshell North Korea has enough of problems to make it a perfect banana republic.

But this is illustrative of what politics can do to people. Kenya is enjoying a relatively freer economy compared to most of the African states. It has one of the most dynamic constitutions in the globe. It has competitive politics which though have imperfections put it far ahead of many other African nations. It has a relatively free media compared to many African states or those in third world. Thanks to this Kenya’s economy have responded in tandem. Today it is easier to open and invest and move your wealth around in the world operating in Kenya. With this kind of political culture which has pushed to the opening of the business environment it is no wonder that Kenya is attracting many global investors. Indeed many powerful and wealthy people in the region plus expatriates have their wealth invested here. It makes sense to invest in Kenya after all. We have plenty of challenges including corruption, tribalism and unemployment but we have the most positively dynamic state in the region.

Meanwhile, with increased globalization, knowledge expansion and the rapid advancement in technology we have had rapid shift in economic paradigm. Who knew that an innovation called MPESA would create so many jobs in Kenya? Who knew that internet banking will be the new craze and a good deal for banking customers? Who knew that the efficiencies of mobile telecommunication will shift the ground (politically, economically and socially) forever? The dreaded motorcycle with the bodaboda business has completely altered the transport system in Kenya. The indiscipline and madness in the bodaboda industry makes it anathema but it has become a cog in Kenya’s economic dispensation. If it is well regulated to instill discipline this phenomenon is really a game changer in transport and employment of the many youth who would otherwise be idle.

This is just to demonstrate that as we engage in politics which are increasingly becoming hotter we should keep an eye on economy. Good political dispensation means good economic order. Look at the changes in economic fortunes as multi-party era changed governments in Kenya. So many changes in economic realm have followed the positive side in changes in politics. Today it is easier to be caught and exposed in acts of corruption than the era before multiparty politics when KANU was baba and mama. It is even much easier to expose the corrupt after the re-engineering of politics post the new constitution order (after 2010).  So we have a deal to do with ourselves. Let get the right leadership in place in counties which are the fulcrum of development going forward and ensure that at the national level the leadership is good. If we could all rise against the evils called corruption and tribalism we could make Kenya the new South Korea of Africa. It is possible. Let keep improving on the political front and all else will fall in place. Politics and economy are like engine and the source of energy (e.g. oil).

Harrison Mwirigi Ikunda

Nairobi.

THE WRITER IS A RESEARCHER AND CONSULTANT