Promote peace to keep a fragile economy on track

At a time like this when elections are around the corner, political temperatures are bound to rise. In a country like Kenya where a section of leaders are bent on playing up ethnic sentiments for selfish political ends, campaigns are always polarising. Indeed it is a pity some leaders who should know better have started stoking ethnic passions and inflaming sectarian sentiments.

The importance of peace need not be over-emphasised at this point in time bearing in mind that the ugly scars of the 2007/08 post-election violence are still fresh in our bodies and souls.

Therefore during these fragile moments, when the elections are about a year away, we should be focusing our energies, time and resources on bringing Kenyans together. The message that we should send out loud and clear is that elections are not a do-or-die affair. They are about choosing a team of leaders to spearhead social-economic development and transformation. It is not about this tribe winning against that tribe; it’s about the best manifesto carrying the day. It is therefore critical that we move away from the narrow path of tribal-based politics to the broad plane of national issues and policies. Kenyans from every ethnic background, political leaning, ideological persuasion and religion have to exercise caution on how they play politics from now henceforth.

Let us use every forum and platform to underscore the importance of unity. Leaders ought to be naturally at the forefront in this crusade for peace. It behoves leaders of all stripes, those already in office and those aspiring for office as well as the clergy, to fervently preach against animosity, stereotypes, jingoism and all forms of parochial divisions. This is the only way we will build on the impressive progress we have made in expanding our democratic space.

Needless to say, the economic consequences of violence are dire. For instance, business losses caused by the chaotic protests by CORD against the electoral commission have been estimated at Sh80 million daily. Leaders should also know investors are keenly watching how the countdown to the 2017 polls is unfolding. Even without the uncertainty and chaos we are currently witnessing, investors are always cautious, and some are highly sensitive, around this time with major investment decisions being deferred until after the dust raised by the polls has considerably settled. Add this to the fact that the shilling will be weakened and the cost of living will go through the roof and you have a perfect cocktail for an economic storm. Indeed economic and financial analysts are already predicting muted economic activity around the election period.

It is therefore clear that if CORD or any other political formation, does not realise early enough the folly of making impossible demands and brazenly violating the law leading to a needless standoff, we run the risk of plunging this country to an economic slowdown with its attendant far-reaching consequences. The common man whom all leaders claim to be fighting for will grapple with hard times for lack of a peaceful environment to eke out a living.

To illustrate my point, let me take you down the memory lane. Before the 2007 polls, the national economic growth was bullish at about eight per cent. However, in the aftermath of the post-election violence, this plummeted to two per cent. Kenya Revenue Authority lost about Sh2 billion in taxes while the Kenya Association of Manufacturers say industries made losses in the region of Sh10 billion. It is common knowledge that the fortunes of tourism, once a key economic pillar, sharply dwindled, and it is yet to fully recover. It is also important to note that Kenya is the gateway to East Africa and the engine of regional economies and when it sneezes the rest of the countries in the region catch a cold. This was graphically demonstrated during the 2007/08 post-election chaos. For instance, when the railway was vandalised at Kibera at the height of the mayhem, Uganda felt the pain as the rail is one of its trade lifelines. Other countries such as Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Congo rely on the Port of Mombasa as well and they too felt the brunt of disorder in our country.

So given our preeminent regional economic status, we should be extremely careful lest we destroy not only our economy but those of our neighbours. It is therefore crucial that we join hands to nurture and maintain a culture of peace around election period. We will only remain a regional economic powerhouse if we strengthen our current position through sustained economic and political stability. We cannot grow our economy if every time we hold elections there is chaos. We must therefore eschew violent means of resolving our issues and stick to law and order.