Let's sell KQ to an international airline but not opaque investors

Many years ago, while in law school in the US, my friend and colleague Ceda Ogada and I were debating issues around the role of the state in business. Ceda was clear that the state had no role getting involved in business beyond regulation, while I believed state involvement was necessary to protect the public interest. Our debate veered to Kenya Airways (KQ) which was then a parastatal making losses year after year. It was also inefficient, often late, and had low standards for services on board.

Ceda thought there was no reason to pump taxes into loss-making entities: that only encouraged more looting, and even more inefficiency. I argued then that it was necessary for our national pride for KQ to be kept afloat. The discussion ended when Ceda retorted: “National pride? Can people eat national pride? Is looting national pride?”