Africa’s disease is idleness

I was saved from Luhya laziness in 1966!” an old lady in her early 80s stunned an audience in Kitale at the weekend.

Obviously the kneejerk reaction by many people was to dismiss her with contempt.

Her assertion came hours before China pledged $10 billion in new loans to Africa in the next three years; cancellation of debts for some countries and investment in clean energy projects.

Africa’s traditional allies, that is, Europe and US have been pushing a fear campaign against China in a subtle way.

China is accused of ignoring human rights abuses, not being transparent and not promoting democratic ideals in Africa.

Compare this with the West’s own involvement in Africa; they shipped over 12 million Africans as slaves to power their economies in the 17th century; they colonised and imposed their own governance institutions onto Africa; they planted their own religion and school systems and continue to supervise the Africa using institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF.

The African has for over three centuries been suffocated into believing that the international community is synonymous to US and Europe.

Africans are yet to see Confucius priests, governance experts, and “value exporters” jet from China.

Does this imply that the Chinese are keen on furthering African interests in comparison to the West?

No! The West and China and any other global player is not interested in the continent for sake of charity.

Each of these “friends of Africa” is interested in safeguarding own interests.

They need energy to power their industries; minerals to manufacture products and food for their people.

The question each African should be asking himself/herself is: How much energy and food among others do the one billion Africans need?

Listening to the elderly lady admonish her people offers some insights into Africa’s challenge.

Western Province is situated in one of Kenya’s rich agricultural zones but it is disappointing that land is greatly underused.