Focus on Kenya-Japan relations should be business and not aid

The Japanese are in town this week, in thousands. I love these guys, really. They mean business, and have been good friends of Kenya for decades. That we are hosting their Prime Minister and thousands of businessmen and officials from that great country for the Ticad conference is remarkable, and historic. These folks and their country have stood with us in the development of our country long before some of our other friends started looking.

Real development in infrastructure, such as schools, universities, roads, bridges, hospitals etc that make a difference in our lives. Moi International Airport, Nyali Bridge, JKUAT, Moi University, Dongo Kundu road, Olkaria IV, Sondu Mirui, you name it! Their government funded some of the best infrastructural landmarks in Kenya. In Mandera, the Japanese financed the tarmacking of Mandera – El Wak road in 1977-78; the road has now disappeared 40 years on for lack of maintenance by the Government. Of course, unlike the US for instance, that funds civic education, elections, security, condoms! And unlike our Chinese friends, they do not roam our countryside selling fish and eggs under the guise of building roads, leaving behind little round-faced angels!