VituVingiSana wrote:
No matter who it is, Kenya needs to be careful not to sell out! We need JOBS for KENYANS not just jobs for Indians & Chinese...
Where Kenya has a shortfall [or huge price differential] for skilled labour, we can/should import labour but we have to TRAIN Kenyans to replace the Indians & Chinese. We have failed in that.
Excellent point.
In addition, my vote is for China. India is still too close to where Kenya can be, and to me is a direct competitor, grapsing for the championships in the minor leagues alongside us. China is competing in a whole other realm against the UK and US, in the major leagues, and has accoplished a lot that they can stand on as "world-class". China is not an economic threat to us, nor us to them. They also respect the way WE choose to run our cultures, systems, and chosen form of governance, unlike the West. Yes, China asks that Chinese companies get the tenders, but so does everyone else. China approaches us with respect as a business partner; it's our own fault if we don't negotiate better deals that include R&D centers IN KENYA, vocational training OF KENYANS, and recognition and use of Kenya labor groups, saccos, and unions. If we don't ask, then it's not on the table. Even if Chinese companies get the tenders, we should demand that the Chinese workers set up vocational and R&D facilities and train Kenyans so that when it comes time for maintenance and expansion, we are ready to take the ball- a smooth handover for sustaining support.
India still has not solved a multitude of their own problems as far as poverty, educational system corruption, lacking infrastructure, social issues, classism, etc. I don't see where they have much to teach or offer us to help us reach Vis2030.
We need to complete the "big infrastructure" projects, which may require consulting with, and maybe banking with someone who has been there/done that in a world-class way, such as China, that will repsect our way of doing things and our sovereignty. We can handle the private sector forays ourselves. We are fully capable and have a network of professionals in Kenya and in the diaspora. We just need to fund and organize them to represent Kenya in business. We don't need a close competitor in the private sector coming in and [further] taking our private sector profits out of Kenyan hands (a la Westlands). Though we should always welcome investment as long as it's not interference.
Best,
Hill