Kibera poor living conditions

The case for Diaspora 2012 candidates can well be summarized by the growth rates of several African countries from the World Bank report released. The report shows the northern neighbor of Kenya, Ethiopia from 2008 – 2011 to have grown Gross Domestic Product, GDP, by 10.8%, 8.8%, 10.1%, 7.7%, a total growth of 37.4%. Kenya on the other hand in the four years from 2008 to 2011 grew GDP by 1.6%, 2.6%, 5.6%, 4.3% a total of 14.1%. Other countries that showed great growth rates during 2008 – 2011 were as follows: Rwanda 11.2%, 4.1%, 7.5%, 8.8% a total of 31.6%; Uganda 8.7%, 7.2%, 6.4%, 6.3% a total of 28.6%; Tanzania 7.4%, 6.0%, 7.0%, 6.4% a total of 26.8%; Nigeria 6.0%, 7.0%, 7.8%, 7.0% in total 27.8%; Malawi 8.6%, 7.6%, 6.7%, 5.6% in total 28.5% and Ghana 8.4%, 4.7%, 6.6%, 13.6% in total 33.3%. We presented this to a few Kenyan investors, entrepreneurs and prospective candidates for elections this year and got the following remarks.

“Kenyans need to get their act together if they hope to compete in the global market. Currently we are 154 out of 183 and slightly ahead of some of these African countries in per capita income. If Kenya is not carefully it may slide down to be part of the poorest countries in Africa,” observes the author of Gambling with Destiny.  

“The lack of economic growth is today the crimes against humanity at ICC. By 2002 KANU had led the country to a ditch. It was defeated by NARC and rather than NARC set up policies that will lead to Kenya GDP grow, the talk is always about who will be next President. We are all caught up discussing one topic for 5 years. This is our cycle of poverty,” says Charles a Kenyan living in Boston region who is considering exploring investing his capital in Rwanda or Tanzania based on the impressive growth rates.   

The Diaspora 2012 Team working on the Kshs 5 trillion Platform that looks to create 5 million new jobs of an average income of Kshs 1 million annually made the following comment. “The constitution set August 14th 2012 as election date. 2 years after the constitution was passed those currently legislating and executing have not been able to plan accordingly what was authorized by 6 million voters August 2010. How do you expect the economy to attract investments needed for its growth when implementing the constitution has proved impossible?” The team is however optimistic that Kenya will be on the top once the platform and candidates advancing the platform are elected. The numerous projects started by this action minded Kenyans will see the economy grow above 10% consistently. 

 “It is not that Kenyans are unable to develop their country to the 13.6% achieved by Ghana. It is just the lack of good policies that see many ideas wasted every day,” says Terry Kairu candidate for Kiambu senate. “Land policy is the biggest problem and once we correct this then we most likely will get higher than the Ghana level and grow the economy at 15% every year.” 

John Macharia aspiring for the senate seat for Nairobi says, “To much time is wasted everyday discussing some things that do not necessary lead to GDP growth. There is need for more action minded leaders if Kenya will get to the GDP growth rate of 10% and over every year.”