Despite the ICC cases hanging over President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto
and the resulting concern over its impact on our global relations, a
new report on competitiveness by the World Economic Forum describes
Kenya’s performance as ‘impressive’.Kenya has moved up 10 places and is ranked 96th this year “on
the back of greater confidence in institutions.” For some, this may come
as a surprise critique from a respected global forum given the outcry
against the reformed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and
the Judiciary, which agreed that Kenyatta was duly elected on March 4.
For all the flaws with that election, it appears we have done a fairly
enough job to assure the world that while we are not perfect,
‘impressive’ progress is being made.
This year’s report by the World Economic Forum comes on the back of modest recovery from the global economic crisis, a period described by the crafters of the document as the worst economic slump in post-war history. The top three countries as ranked by The Global Competitiveness Index 2013–2014 are Switzerland, Singapore and Finland respectively. Angola is in last place ranked 142nd.
Here’s what we are doing right: Kenya’s innovative capacity is ranked an impressive 46th, with lots of spending in research and development. Other areas that have been lauded are our education sector that is also embracing innovation through the laptop project and our financial markets that meet international standards.
But areas that continue to hold us back are the usual suspects such as healthcare, which may soon prove a pain for county governments to manage. Then there is insecurity. Interior Cabinet secretary Joseph ole Lenku is yet to show decisive action to deal with criminal gangs, vigilante groups and the ever-looming threat of terror. Then there is corruption. If we are going to attract more business, it’s obvious what the Jubilee government must focus on, ‘personal challenge(s)’ notwithstanding.
But here’s some food for thought: Despite the bloody Arab Spring and the coup called by any other name, Egypt is still doing better than Kenya. It has dropped 11 positions to position 118. Then there’s the blue-eyed boy of the East African Community, Rwanda. In spite of the worrying links alleged between M23, the group causing instability in DRC, and the Kagame administration, Rwanda outperforms Kenya. Low levels of corruption and good security place them at 66th.
But still Kenya is doing better than expected. As a journalist I’m not sure I’m necessarily impressed. I naturally train my mind to remember we can and must do better. Kenyans deserve so much more. But as a citizen, I can’t deny it feels good to read that our performance is ‘impressive’. Chin up, something is working.
And so while the media will be awash with analysts next week discussing the impact of the ICC cases on Kenya, remember despite the bad global press, our ratings are encouraging, according to this publication at least. So if for no other reason leo usivumilie kuwa mkenya, jivunie! We are 10 paces better than we were last year.
This year’s report by the World Economic Forum comes on the back of modest recovery from the global economic crisis, a period described by the crafters of the document as the worst economic slump in post-war history. The top three countries as ranked by The Global Competitiveness Index 2013–2014 are Switzerland, Singapore and Finland respectively. Angola is in last place ranked 142nd.
Here’s what we are doing right: Kenya’s innovative capacity is ranked an impressive 46th, with lots of spending in research and development. Other areas that have been lauded are our education sector that is also embracing innovation through the laptop project and our financial markets that meet international standards.
But areas that continue to hold us back are the usual suspects such as healthcare, which may soon prove a pain for county governments to manage. Then there is insecurity. Interior Cabinet secretary Joseph ole Lenku is yet to show decisive action to deal with criminal gangs, vigilante groups and the ever-looming threat of terror. Then there is corruption. If we are going to attract more business, it’s obvious what the Jubilee government must focus on, ‘personal challenge(s)’ notwithstanding.
But here’s some food for thought: Despite the bloody Arab Spring and the coup called by any other name, Egypt is still doing better than Kenya. It has dropped 11 positions to position 118. Then there’s the blue-eyed boy of the East African Community, Rwanda. In spite of the worrying links alleged between M23, the group causing instability in DRC, and the Kagame administration, Rwanda outperforms Kenya. Low levels of corruption and good security place them at 66th.
But still Kenya is doing better than expected. As a journalist I’m not sure I’m necessarily impressed. I naturally train my mind to remember we can and must do better. Kenyans deserve so much more. But as a citizen, I can’t deny it feels good to read that our performance is ‘impressive’. Chin up, something is working.
And so while the media will be awash with analysts next week discussing the impact of the ICC cases on Kenya, remember despite the bad global press, our ratings are encouraging, according to this publication at least. So if for no other reason leo usivumilie kuwa mkenya, jivunie! We are 10 paces better than we were last year.
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