The story of Singapore has been told for the umpteenth time now! One that economic experts and political pundits have overwhelmingly described as a model of success that combines visionary leadership and proper governance structure.
Our national leaders have also conveniently used the success story of Singapore to expound on their vision for Kenya. The GDP of Singapore is expected to reach 340.00 USD Billion by the end of 2022 whereas the GDP of Kenya is expected to reach 107.00 USD (World Bank).
How did a country born in the same year when Kenya had her independence and against a backdrop of no significant natural resources, triple its GDP to that of Kenya 60 years down the road? Where did we go wrong as a country?
The World Bank today ranks Singapore as the second nation in the world for ease of doing business. This milestone has been achieved because of the bold steps Singapore undertook immediately after the country began its self-rule. Singapore put in place effective policies in the housing and financial sectors. In addition, the country fought corruption which over time helped build investors' confidence.
The Land Acquisition Act has ensured that to date, 80 per cent of Singapore's population lives in houses built by the government. The fiscal policies that led to mandatory saving by all working nationals to the Central Provident Fund - monies which earn the people a 5 per cent interest annually. Thanks to this policy, Singapore is now among the countries with the highest saving rates in the world at over 53 per cent (World Bank).
A critical look at sessional papers presented to the Kenyan parliament back in the '1960s and '1970s will confirm how Kenya enjoyed good prospects in her socio-economic progression. To date, we are still grappling with social injustice, and economic uncertainties despite making significant strides both in our legislative framework and body polity over time.
Devolution is a great potential for our country's prosperity. I have in the past highlighted the myriad of challenges it continues to face like fiscal, administrative, and inadequate political goodwill. All these reflect a lack of visionary leadership and fiscal indiscipline exacerbated by institutional setbacks and endemic corruption.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a pessimist. Several counties have done well and the prospects of the new government's economic policies point to a good future. Counties like Turkana have done well in sanitation by minimising open defecation to a great extent and adopting climate-smart agriculture. Others like Kisii, Meru, Kirinyaga and Nyeri are today's highest inland fish producers through aquaculture. I take a keen interest in fish production because it is the biggest potential in Luo Nyanza counties and one key area under my eight-point agenda for Homa Bay.
I congratulate the president William Ruto for the approval through his first cabinet sitting, the one billion project of Kabonyo Fisheries and Aquaculture Training Centre in Kisumu.
-The writer is the first Governor of Nairobi City County.
