The following are a collection of random thoughts I jotted down whilst sitting in Nairobi.
Why are there more expatriates working in Kenya now than in 1975 (at the time of the troubles the UN alone drew up evacuation plans for almost 10,000)?
Why do hundreds (literally) of government officials have to drive high-end turbo Mercedes saloons?
Why do the hundreds (if not thousands) of NGOs drive brand new expensive four-wheel drive vehicles – to drive around the city?
How do thousands of Kenyans acquire enough money to afford cars that cost more than 60% of the populace will earn in a lifetime?
And, why have those with the fancy cars allowed the transportation infrastructure to erode (in some places virtually disappear) such that any journey takes at least twice as long as in the mid-70s?
What happened to mandatory free primary education with almost 100% enrollment, were now only those that can afford the school fees send their children to school?
Why is there consistent pessimism that come 2012 (next elections) there will be a repeat of the troubles following the last election?
Why does the electricity go out so regularly in a city with so much visible wealth parading the city streets?
Why when Swahili is the country’s official language, are parliament proceedings again conducted in English?
Reflecting on these random thoughts the differences to Ethiopia are already striking.
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