Why British MPs Put Their Country On The Spot Over Kenya

House of Commons or British MPs put the spotlight on Kenya-British ties in the context of history, the just concluded General Election.

BY PEOPLE TEAM
SUNDAY, 24 MARCH, 2013

Last Wednesday, the House of Commons or British MPs put the spotlight on Kenya-British ties in the context of history, the just concluded General Election and the fact that the President –elect Uhuru Kenyatta and the deputy President –elect William Ruto are International Criminal Court inductees.

Also being brought into focus by MPs was the general predisposition of the West on the ICC matter, traditional ties and British interests in Kenya and finally perhaps more alarming was perceived rapid expansion of Chinese interest in Africa at the expense of the West’s dipping fortunes.

It is instructive that a number of British MPs raised similar issues which have been expressed here, namely, matters of sovereignty and the fact that nobody but Kenyans themselves have the right to decide who their leaders should be.

This particular issue was triggered by warnings from Western diplomats that there would be consequences to the choice Kenyans make in presidential election. What is more, among those who spoke in the House of Commons were those questioning the impartiality of ICC when it comes to dealing with Africa.

Indeed one MP pointed out that the election of Uhuru as President-elect was a deliberate statement of rebuff by Kenyans against perceived intrusion and even dictatorship by the West and the upshot of concern by British MPs from across the political divide— Labour, Liberals and Conservatives was that the United Kingdom might rue lost opportunities and potentials which are, of course, mutually rewarding if they allow ties with Kenya to freeze. And indicators reaffirm this position.

Despite their controversial diplomatic position, the economic vibes and feelers are refreshingly upbeat as reflected by burgeoning investments in Kenya. We are seeing increasing British, American, Japanese and general European investments in Kenya being on the upswing. Recently Seven-Up Bottling (SBC) Company launched a Sh4.2 billion Pepsi Cola manufacturing plant in Nairobi.

Last year, Nairobi Bottlers Ltd, the local franchise for another US giant, Coca Cola, said it plans to spend Sh4.3 billion in the expansion of production lines as it seeks to maintain its grip on the increasingly competitive beverage market. The 20-share Nairobi Securities is treading above 4,500 points, its best performance in recent years. And who is driving it; foreign buyers from Western nations.