i doubt kes goes back to 96 with conviction let alone 100, as long as CBK dont loosen offcourse..the only fly in the ointnment here is monetary policy, again, cbk have failed in their singular breif and as such i would suggest that market forces determine the price and optimal amount of money, ERC's review of pump prices is the best indicator of how irrelevant price controls and regulation are

I really wish we had the return of Guys like Cheserem and Nyagah to the CBK. Both of kIbaki's appointees to the office of CBK governor have been disasters.

Why are we having inflation in this country? That is a question that we should ask ourselves before we start to solve it. In fact, CBK had hinted at it before they changed their mind.

We have problems with:

1. Fuel; weak shilling, disruptions in the International Oil Markets
2. Maize shortage
3. Sugar shortage

These three have been the biggest indicators of inflation. The logic of "too much money chasing too few goods," just doesn't apply here.

Howmany people go to banks so that they can borrow to buy sugar, or soko ugali, or even fuel? It therefore beats logic for the CBK to tighten money supply in an effort to bring down the prices of these commodities.

You are hired!!

Simply and factually, Kenya is still a net importer country. With that in mind, what does this economy (not U) need. A weak or a strong KES?

The question you should be asking is.... Kenya is a net importer. A stable or unstable shilling? That's the bigger issue. Ndungu doesn't favour either weak or strong. Unfortunately the situation now favours a strong KES now, only becoz the import realignment mechanism isn't working.

That way U play the part of being out of the way of imports of capital goods and payments of essential off-shore obligations which contribute to KENYA's real GDP and creates wealth & jobs for the economy U invest/live in and support ur family from!

The only way to shore up the KES is to reduce imports. We import everything including Toilet Paper. When I shop at Nakumatt, I am shocked at what people buy.

Construction: There is a local firm (I think in Kisumu) called Flamingo Tiles. Also Sai Raj Tiles. Let's buy LOCAL tiles not imported tiles just so we can say "Italian" or "South African". They provide jobs to KENYAN clay mines, KPLC, etc.

Food: Stop with the (zero local content) imported cereals. They are often sugary. Go for locally manufactured Weetabix which mixes local & imported wheat & is manufactured in Nairobi. Weetabix provides local jobs including KENYAN farmers, carton manufacturers, etc.

Fuel: This is hard to change but let's encourage local sources. There is a bio-ethanol fuel I saw on telly. I might get that vs LPG. How about making 'charcoal' from other sources like coffee husks or maize stalks or wood dust?

Water: I avoid buying bottled water. A little trick a friend showed me. I will fill 75% of my bottle (or those durable reusable sports bottles) at home then leave it in the freezer. When I go out, I fill the remainder 25% with a bit of squash/quencher. I have a cold drink that remains cold as the ice slowly melts.

Shoes: That's a tough one since Bata does not have a great range. Even it imports many of the shoes it sells. I try though!

Clothes: It drives me nuts that Kenya is an exporter of textiles under AGOA (& even to Europe) yet we import clothes from China, India & South Africa. We need to create a SENSIBLE 'national dress' (not that silly stuff akina awori modeled) that should be 'copyrighted' for manufacture only in Kenya. We need to get back to Bespoke Tailoring for men using good materials & local tailors. These suits/shirts fit well & last longer.

Farming/Food: Let's embrace the TRADITIONAL foods like Njahi, Cassava, etc. Why not eat healthier Sweet Potatoes instead of adding sugar to everything? Let's move away from maize (imported from Central America) to what is better suited for Kenya's climate/land.

Furniture: We are obsessed by the (cheaper) East Asian furniture. Let's go for a more rustic look made by local artisans. My uncle had his cushions/sofas re-done & they look FANTASTIC. They cost 50% of the cost of replacing the sofas.

This is all fine theoretically, but how are you going to stop our consumption habits?

I had someone come for a job interview and she had borrowed 2M and said she has nothing to show for it!

This is the new generation, they drink black label, drive guzzlers, wear designer and have 2 bob in their savings accounts.

Boss si wote am in that "new generation" and i dont remember when i ate imported stuff. my clothes are all made here except tshirts

then you're doing badly in your peer group sunshine...style up!