By electing an international criminal at this time, we would be the subject of economic
and military sanctions.The truth which is abhorred by many is that our president would be a fugitive who can't
perform his functions effectively as the commander in chief .Kenya would be on the verge of not
only PEV but a deadly civil war.It is egregious that some tribal bigots with parochial mindsets cannot see this .Some, with myopic goals say China would be a savior.
Well ,China cannot be a dependable
sustainable trading partner.They haven't helped even the Congo,Mali,Nigeria,Angola where instability has flourished as they plunder their resources. China is a competitor and not a partner you can rely on during difficult times.And should be viewed as such.During PEV China was the only friend that was conspicuously silent.Our coffee was still more palatable to them than the 1500 people who died.
Our
healthcare, and free primary education is entirely supported by donors.China policy of state capitalism is only interested in infrastructural
development through government private partnership that usually benefits the Chinese themselves in exchange for Africa colossal resources but not long term impact
projects like education, healthcare, peace and stability and building local manufacturing industries -that is the core to Africa sustainable development As we import pencils,matchsticks,inner wears and cups our industries are on their deathbeds.We are not going to build our economy on distribution, wholesale and retail of fake imported products and still dream of guaranteeing our children a better future.That is not the Kenya our independence heroes wanted.
But, there is a reason why our leaders would want to look east rather than west after being shunned there.The unconditioned low interest loans that usually end up in the pockets of a few as opposed to stringent western loans is lucrative and appealing-Africa leaders do not want to be accountable and responsible to their citizens.Since 1960s, Europe and America have spent zillions of shillings in aid to Africa with no substantial results to show.Mostly, the money has been embezzled and siphoned out of Africa by greedy leaders and fat cats .So, once they realized that their cash cow-aid is no longer coming- they shifted to China
The trade imbalances usually favor China.Which is why China has managed to flood our markets with cheap counterfeit products.This has been detrimental to our own manufacturing industries-the only key to job creation and poverty alleviation .So as China insatiable appetite for Africa resources skyrockets many Africans from where these resources are extracted are being sent very fast to the abysmal pit of poverty.
China state agenda across Africa of supporting impunity ,dictators and village tyrants as long as they get the business is counterproductive in the long run .At the end of the day lets ask ourselves; who will have to part with higher taxes to support government projects when we elect criminals and consequently,slapped with sanctions?We should look at this country as a great inheritance from our children not from our fathers where we have the audacity to plunder everything.
Bonface Kungu.
