Last week,
the president launched the Konza Technopolis during the ground breaking
ceremony that was held at Malili, Machakos. This was a significant step in the
launching of the project since it made it cease from being just but a mere
proposal and actually brought it to life. The phenomenal goal behind it is to
ensure that this ICT Park buds an industrialized economy that makes Kenya the
ultimate technical hub for many investors who want to bring in local
intelligence and a bit of physical presence to the local African market. The
project being a private and public partnership, a lot of international
investment is necessary because the government will majorly handle matters to
do with infrastructure and land allocation (the 5000 acre piece of land). Politics
play a huge role on deciding the manner in which the project will sail through.
There are
several benefits that come along with this project. Kenya is at a strategic
time where its economic liberalization offers opportunity for such commendable
growth. Not to forget other key factors such as the revolutionary Mpesa that
offers its users the opportunity to spend, transfer, save and most recently get
loans just by using their cell phones. The rise of incubation centers has also
offered a conducive environment for innovation in the ICT sector with ample
research resources and venues of discussion and interactivity among technology
enthusiasts.
This project
aims at creating at least 200,000 jobs; 80,000 of which will be created in the first
phase of development. Most of the beneficiaries are in ICT, transporting and
real estate whereby suppliers of building materials such as cement and steel
will be essential. Having the idea of spending 850 billion to eventually set up
200,000 jobs through a period of 17 years putting in mind how sluggish
government funding can be may not prove to be such an appealing and cost
effective venture. This is why international investments are trivial for this
idea to bear fruit.
An
impressive 250 applications for investments have already been received ranging
from multimillion companies such as Safaricom and Huawei, to entities such as
banking and financial institutions, shopping malls and international education
institutions. With the ground breaking, 18 investors had already wished to
start whereas 30 planned to do so after the elections scheduled for March, one
of the major reasons Kenyans should anticipate to take part in fair elections
void of any form of corruption, biasness and violence.
The choice
of leaders we choose is important as well. Countries such as Zimbabwe and Iran
suffered from huge losses due to sanctions that were laid upon them. A
conscious voter should not put the future of their country in shambles by
heading to the ballot box and appointing an individual who faces charges of
crime against humanity whether falsely accused or not. It just doesn’t make any
sense. While some may argue that the West no longer has a hold on us, consider
that pure gibberish. Another school of thought may argue that America and
Europe investments are not crucial as compared to those from the Middle East
such as China. However, realizing that China will take part more in the
construction bit while the States and European countries will deal with data processing will shade
more light on the issue.
Relying on
the Middle East as the only source of international investment does not make
sense, even without having to do the math. All their transactions are done with
the American dollar currency because of the connections with the international
banking and wiring systems. Nowhere to run baby!! And what makes us so sure
that China will risk the chance of appearing to show no recognition to the ICC
authority just to stay in business with us after sanctions have been declared
upon us?
Never before
have we had the chance to carve our own future so blatantly. We should choose
our leaders with a lot of insight. I would like to see Konza grow, and maybe
let my kid know that I was there when it was all but a dream. Wouldn’t you?
Take charge and practice good judgment and peace. Someone wise once said that
the eyes are usually the windows to the soul, and personally, I would not trust
a bloodshot eyed president to handle the affairs of this country. Would you?
