Is Europe Kenya’s sincere friend or business partner?

Altruism is not a fashionable word in development these days. The selfless concern for others is often not believed as a motive, or it’s misread as paternalism. Soon after arriving in Kenya, I was regularly asked why Europe is partnering with, and giving to Kenya and the Kenyan government.

My answer is: Europeans have both a good-willed concern for others and a selfish interest in global stability. I think it is worth examining these motives afresh in light of this week’s summit here in Nairobi when the European Union will meet dozens of governments from around the world to renew spending commitments on development.