Instead of fearing Chinese influence, learn from them

Kenya is blessed with natural resources. We are grateful for the abundance of limestone, gemstones, oil and gas deposits on our land. Nevertheless, one of our greatest resources is found within us, our intelligence and innovation. It is not for nothing that our start-up scene has been dubbed ‘Silicon Savannah.’ Kenya’s $1 billion tech hub is home to more than 200 startups, and has attracted giant international firms such as IBM, Intel and Microsoft.

These companies have nations to choose from around the world, but they put their faith in Kenyan acumen and intellect. However, there is another side to Kenya. It is the Kenya of superstitious and irrational belief. It is a Kenya that believes an owl is a bad omen, scratching the right hand will chase money away and that biting one’s tongue means someone is talking about them. Of course, these are pretty harmless and have equivalents in every society, but there are others more problematic.