Fifty years on, we should focus on what is working for us

Market Talk today looks at some of the positive developments in Kenya since independence. The reason why we look at positive issues is that many studies have shown that what you focus on grows.

If you focus on the skeletons in your wardrobe or your problems, they will only multiply due to the magnifying power of focus. Let us count our blessings as Kenya turns 50. The following are some of Kenya’s achievements in the last 50 years of independence.

Democracy and freedom of expression: The country has undergone many changes in democracy and freedom of expression. Currently there are no known political prisoners in our jails. Democracy has a way of influencing how people operate even as customers.

One French leader said that it is difficult to govern people with over 100 types of cheese to choose from. Similarly during the single party era many sectors of the economy were not liberalised. The monopolies of that time meant that the citizens had very few choices both in terms of leaders and brands.

Multi- party politics came at a time when many sectors of the economy were being liberalised which brought about choices in both politics and brands. When the multi-party debate was heated, one politician had a contrarian opinion. The late Mulu Mutisya wondered why we could not have “multi-party moja’ (one multiparty).

Many laughed at the opinion but later it emerged that coalition parties was the way to win an election, where a coalition appears to qualify as “multiparty moja”’. The constitution that was voted in a referendum in 2010 gives every Kenyan many rights. The constitution is now at implementation stage and it is likely to change the business and social landscape.

Excellence in athletics: In the last 50 years, Kenyan athletes have won many medals in global long distance competitions and marathons. These victories build the Kenyan brand. If Kenyans can adopt the same spirit in following through opportunities to the logical end like our marathoners endure the running track up to the finishing line, vision 2030 will be achieved before then.

Enterprise Spirit: Kenyans are enterprising. Recent studies show that many young people dream of running their own businesses one day. This kind of spirit means that many people will be creating jobs as opposed to waiting for employment.

Savannah Silicon: Recently, Kenya has become a major force to reckon with in the world of technology. Listening to IBM executives on why they chose Kenya to host the first IBM Research lab in Africa in Kenya, I overheard them say that the country has unique characteristics that make it attractive as an ICT destination. One of them said: “there is something in the air, you can feel it.”

The success of mobile money has grabbed global headlines with more than half of all mobile money users being in Kenya according to recent statistics. M-Pesa has changed life in Kenya by creating conveniences, saving time and money and mainstreaming many small businesses in the agency network. This shows that new ideas can flourish very quickly providing opportunities for those willing to take the market seriously.

It is upon every Kenyan to count his blessings as we celebrate our 50th year of independence. Happy 50th anniversary to all Kenyans.

The writer is the Marketing Director of SBO Research. E-mail: [email protected], Twitter @bngahu