Raila: Economy

Raila discusses his plans for the Kenya Economy

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Raila
• Odinga
• Kenya
• President
• Election
• Economy

[amanijuu08]

My leaders?? What, Moi is my leader? Kibaki is my leader? Who is my leader and not yours if you are a Kenyan. They are our leaders, not mine.

Let us speak in five years when we have seen how much track Prime Minister Raila Odinga has added.

My prediction? zero metres, zero centimetres. Who is reconstructing the Nai-Mbsa road? Who is expanding JKIA capacity? This is not development? Or are you only interested in railway lines?

[HeshimaJameni]

Yes, this is the same single old and rugged railway line that was layed down by the colonialists. And your so called development conscious leaders have never added an inch of it!

[amanijuu08]

And perhaps you prefer someone who talks big, but can't back up their words? I don't know... your choice.

[HeshimaJameni]

I think you prefer a pessimist.

[amanijuu08]

You might see it as being optimistic, but I see it as plain lying to get votes. Or speaking from an ignorant position. Either he was lying or he has little knowledge of economics, but either way I don't think he should have said it.

SOuth Korea's economy grew at an average of under 10% from 1960s to 80s, and China's has grown at about an average of 10% to last 20 years. So 20% growth is unrealistic for Kenya I think. If he had said 10%, I would agree that is possible and optimistic.

[amanijuu08]

I prefer a leader who preaches realism. Kenya is going to get 20% growth exporting coffee, tea and maize?? Because that is what we offer the world at the moment. And tourism. But tourism is down, thanks to election violence and world economic slowdown, and Kenya has a shortfall of maize thanks to post election violence disrupting planting. We will be importing not exporting. So let us be realistic. Kenya's economic performance this year is going to be down on last year, not up.

[HeshimaJameni]

Jesse Jackson, when running for the democratic nomination for the US presidency in 1984, was told a black man cannot be elected president of the United States. To his critics he said "If I run I might lose; if I don't run I am guaranteed to lose."

[HeshimaJameni]

It is refreshing to have optimistic leaders like Raila. Do you know at independence Kenya's economy was the same as South Korea's which is a much smaller country and less mineral resources with no oil. Japan does not export oil either! Semes like you want a leader who preaches pessimism? Haven't you heard the saying, "shoot for the stars and you might get to the moon."

[amanijuu08]

This is the same single railway line that his supporters decided to tear up in protest at the election results?

I don't think I am ignorant for saying what I said. Unless Kenya starts exporting oil (which we might be doing soon), growth of 20% is unrealistic. It is not good to raise people's hopes with big dreams which are likely impossible is all I'm saying.

Anyway, good luck to Raila. I hope he and Kibaki can improve development and infrastructure in Kenya.

[HeshimaJameni]

Raila emphasizes infrastructure as the engine of economic growth. Can you tell us why since independence we have never added an inch of railway line? Is having a single railway line since the colonial time what you call development? It is unbelievable the level of ignorance you have. Is Kibera not part of Kenya? How is Kibera difference from the rest of Kenya? Mathare/Muthaiga where the president lives? Kawangware, only to mention a few?