Just stumbled on this site and am appalled that we do not understand simple concepts and facts. How can you compare Dar with Nairobi? First, understand that the two cities have different challenges and cultures which dictate what is prioritized. Am surprised someone wanted to compare maritime transport in the two cities and hotels. Any sane person knows that Dar is both a tourist resort city and a business hub so the number of 4/5*hotels are likely to be higher. For Nairobi, the hotels are mostly reserved for business people, diplomats and travelers making a stopover. Hence, you’d expect more malls, offices, condos and apartments compared to Dar because that’s what the market needs. We don’t just build for the sake of building or competing. Our economy is directed by demand and supply not like Tanzania and Ethiopia where the government is building skyscrapers and hotels just to make the country appear competitive.
On wealth, you have to understand that most of Kenya’s wealth is distributed to people hence the high number of high net worth people compared to Dar (one advantage of Capitalism). On that note, we shouldn’t even bother discussing BRT coz transport is privatized in Kenya which is also contributing to that big number of dollar millionaires. Owning a 14-seater matatu guarantees you a minimum of $900 per month if on town service and $1500 p/m on long distance. Those 33 seaters get you double and most matatu investors here have at least 2 of them. Meaning one family takes over $2000 p/m. You see why it’s not easy to replace them with BRT? In fact, even in the current proposal, private citizens will get a bigger share of BRT compared to government. The matatus and boda boda business was a flagship of the ESP (Economic Stimulus Program) introduced by Kibaki’s government to add more wealth to people especially the semi-illiterate. Hence, before introducing BRT we have to consider where these people will go.
Still on wealth, we have to agree we are richer; our per Capita is well past $1900 compared to Dar’s $980. In fact, more money is on private hands and not government. Meaning that person in Kibera has a bigger chance of succeeding compared to one in a socialist or communist country. A bank like Equity (second largest and fully privately owned) makes $190m which is more than what the two biggest banks in Tanzania make combined. This money goes back to private investors who are Kenyan therefore distributing wealth compared to Tanzania where a bigger share goes back to government. In fact, the largest bank in Tanzania makes the same profit as I&M which is like the 10th largest bank in Kenya.
On infrastructure, as I said earlier, the two cities have different challenges and cultures which dictate what is prioritized. For instance, Kenya cannot add a new stadium when we can barely fill Nyayo or Kasarani. The only thing is to maintain the old stadiums and build small 5-10k capacity stadiums like the new Dandora Stadium which I can still guarantee would be half empty most of the times even if they say its free entry. On roads, we have a lot of private cars on the road hence the big number of flyovers. Mass transit like trains or buses would have eliminated the need for those flyovers. Just look at Casablanca, am not even sure whether they have a single flyover.
I can go on and on, but the only thing I’d encourage members of this forum is to think first before engaging in any debate just for the sake of supporting your country.
