10 reasons Kenya deserves to be ranked as a developed economy

The World Bank classifies countries in groups based on their gross national income (GNI) per capita.

Based on 2015 data, the groups are: low income with a GNI of $1,025 (Sh106,560) or less; lower middle income at $1,026-$4,035 (Sh106,663-Sh419,480); upper middle income at $4,036-$12,475 (Sh419,483-Sh1.3 million); and high income at $12,476 and above.

Kenya is classified as a lower middle income country after it rebased its economy to account for sectors such as ICT. It is in the same group with countries like Armenia (where Kim Kardashian has roots), Bangladesh, Bhutan (the land of happy people), Cote d’Ivore, Ghana, India, Indonesia and Nigeria.

But rebasing and per capita data left out our behaviour, which should have been factored in to arrive at the country’s development status.

Data aside, the reality on the ground and conventional wisdom seem to suggest we are a developed country. We suffer from the full-blown symptoms of a developed country. Maybe economic statistics are behind the reality.

These are the symptoms. You can add to the list.

Physically, we look more developed with highways and high-rise apartments. In our homes, we make great efforts to look developed, from the seats to the beds and even to food. Noted how cheese has become common in Kenya? Obesity is another physical indicator that we are now ‘developed’.

The key symptoms are behavioural. Noted how news ages faster than in the past? Issues trend for a short period before another event takes over and then dies as fast. It does not matter if the news is political, social or personal. No wonder public relations firms are in their golden age.

Attention span

We are busy all the time. How quickly do your friends or new acquaintances hand over business cards? This is a coded message – “I want to be done with you.”

Despite all the advantages of technology, from cars to microwaves and washing machines, we are left with no time to relax. When did you last watch the sunset? Can you tell me if the moon is currently half, quarter or full? Even holidays are busy – recall how you spent Christmas Day ....

Two, is our obsession with the family. Parents look for any opportunity to talk about their children, how they are number 1 in school, how they are about to marry, got a new job or are generally doing well. Families have become smaller and more nuclear.

Three, low attention span. Whether in school or at work, we all want things to take as short a time as possible. Even church services are getting shorter. Noted how parishioners compete to leave the church compound after a service. Some churches are trying to beat this by offering lunch, which I found common in America’s Bible belt.

Four is the rise of alternative investments, or no investment. The younger generation is no longer a prisoner of land – alternatives like stocks or, even better, no investment at all, are more attractive. Buying a car, living in a posh estate might be more important to a new employee than a plot in Kitengela.

Five is the decline of traditional religions and rise of materialism. I do not have data, but factoring in population growth, traditional churches have fewer adherents, particularly among the youth. The sermons have also changed, and money is more a factor in churches than in the past.

Six is the death of emotions and drought of tears. We cry less during funerals, and death seems to have lost its sting. Even obituary language has changed to “gone too soon”, “celebrating life” and other poetic phrases. Funerals have been ‘corporatised’. Falling in love and getting swept by emotion is rare. We even take loans to fund weddings – I suspect for PR, not because love is deeper.

Seven is the end of compassion. I suspect beggars are making less money than in the past when we were more compassionate and cared for each other. We now think there is the Government and emergency services to take care of the less disadvantaged. Corporate philanthropy, called CSR, is on the rise.

Eight is the mellowing of political agitation. In universities, the term comrade has faded into oblivion and political agitation has reduced. At work, it has been replaced by economic agitation espoused by industrial action, a diplomatic term for strikes. But political leaders seem behind the new reality.

House prices

Nine is class consciousness, which is tied to materialism. In Kenya, class is getting more entrenched through schooling and even residencies. The pricing of houses is often not based on economic fundamentals but on social-economic classes.

Ten is the rise of global citizens. Kenyans now boast of links to several countries, either through business, marriage or visits. Noted the popularity of hyphens in women’s names? Globalisation is counterbalanced by devolution, which has taken us closer to our roots. It’s another question how we shall handle this duality.

Finally, we must accept that some Kenyan communities are still traditional, just as in developed countries. Europe has gypsies, the US has Native Americans, Japan has the Ainu, Australia has Aborigines, and New Zealand has the Maori.

Still not convinced? What is your children’s first language?

The writer is senior lecturer, University of Nairobi.

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