The paradox of foreign investment in Kenya

In the last two years Kenya has been ravaged by terror attacks, but paradoxically, lots of foreign firms have set foot in Kenya, not through speculating in stocks but real investment in brick and motor. Some of the firms that had long left have returned. They include IBM, BASF, Pepsi Cola, and many others. Newcomers include KFC, Massmart, and lots of other firms from the East and West.

Why are they returning when economic common sense tells us they should be leaving, because of terrorism and fear? Look at the malls coming up and the money spent. This is private investment, so due diligence must have been done. Are these investors seeing something we cannot see? While frozen in fear resulting from terror attacks, others are seeing opportunities, long-term. When the long shadow of terrorism is shortened through pacifying Somali or through internal reforms in security services, inclusion and international cooperation, you will find Kenya has become a different country.