Surprising reason Kenya lost pipeline deal to Tanzania

Kenya has been the nerve centre for the East African Community.

However, if recent developments in East Africa are anything to go by, then it only means the country is losing its economic spark.

Stakeholders must improve systems proactively in this fast changing world to maintain the lead.

Economists, including Bitange Ndemo have in the recent past cautioned that horticultural businesses are shifting base to Ethiopia.

This was a result of unfavourable economic environment in Kenya. There is also the case of the Ugandan oil pipeline, which was presumably a done deal.

The results do not augur well for Kenya. Rwanda apparently is also considering having a railway through Tanzania, since they feel the Kenyan route is not being prioritised.

We cannot overlook the fact that an urban mass rapid transport system has been deployed in Dar es Salaam. We tried and failed, but we should not give up.

One of the reasons attributed to Kenya losing the pipeline deal to Tanzania was the duration taken to acquire land for the pipeline.

Let’s us not maintain a business as usual stance. Our counterparts are upping their game, and wooing the globe. Let’s not react when it’s too late.