Kenya’s economy: Where to go from here

That Kenya’s economy is still bleeding over a year after the post-election violence is obvious. Though the free fall was projected after the bloody chaos that left hundreds dead and thousands displaced, the real picture was not clear until the economic survey report of 2009 was released.

 According to the survey, economic growth dropped by 5.4%.  The economy grew at 1.7%  compared to a rate of 7.1% the year before. The growth rate is the lowest since 2003 after a lauded turnaround in that year.

Budget reflections 2009

We are not lost to the fact that this year’s budget was read in the backdrop of huge economic challenges arising from the 2007/8 post election violence, current severe drought and the global financial crisis. However some experts feel that we can still swing back on track.

Regeneration in Kenya

A chance to create a vibrant environment for all Kenyans

Obama kicks butt

 Romance is over

First visit to Africa and the romance with Obama seems to be over; for good or for worse.

We had already forgiven him for snubbing his fatherland, having understood how badly we behaved after the 2007 general election. We however looked forward to his debut visit to the continent with great expectations.

So why are some disappointed?  Because declarations about ending tyranny and corruption have been made many a time.

Obama may be sincere in his wish to end these vices but it seems he has started on the traditional footing. Perhaps he should have asked: “America has been engaged in this continent for many years. In Kenya the US has played a very visible role for 46 years; since independence. Why have US policies failed in the past? What is to be done differently? We Africans know the answers but often no one listens.

The 8th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) conference whose theme was "Realizing the Full Potential of AGOA through Expansion of Trade and Investment" came to a close recently.