Since Kenyans have already been described as people afflicted with amnesia, mine is to jog their memories on a very important issue that transpired in the past.
As the country speeds towards 2022 general election, the season of promises to voters has begun.
Perhaps the most talked-about promise is the “Bottom-Up economic model” whose chief proponent is Deputy President, Dr William Ruto.
This is not the first time development models have been introduced to Kenya nor is it going to be the last.
Older Kenyans will remember the first ambitious development model, Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on African Socialism and its Application to Planning in Kenya.
This tool was meant to guide economic growth that was built around equity.
The key policy drivers of this novel model were political equity, social justice and human dignity including freedom of conscience.
Others were freedom from the want, disease and exploitation, equal opportunities, high and growing per capita income equitably distributed.
Growing per capita point above is perhaps what could be equated to the much discussed Bottom-up approach to development.
One of the Economists who has been vocal and is credited to convincing DP Ruto to embrace the Bottom-Up model is Prof David Ndii.
Kenyans will be shocked to learn that Prof Ndii is on record dismissing Sessional Paper No.10 as “Development fundamentalism” which is untenable to the Kenyan situation.
How could Prof Ndii then turn around and borrow one part if not the whole “useless” model and start convincing Kenyans it can work in the 21st century?
Sessional Paper No.10 was trying to solve almost similar problems that Kenyans find themselves in today.
The country had just emerged from the yoke of colonialism, with the majority of our people impoverished, illiterate, ignorant and disease-prone.
Similarly, development in all spheres, roads, health, education, business, industries, banking, water and agriculture was almost non-existent.
Poverty and unemployment were rampant and the new Kenyatta administration had a gargantuan task to ensure the country commenced the journey ahead with a coherent development blueprint.
Therefore, DP Ruto and the likes of Prof Ndii shouldn’t lie to Kenyans that theirs is a new concept that given a chance is the “magic bullet” of development in Kenya.
Why did the implementation of 1965 Sessional Paper No. 10 fail and why would Bottom-Up approach, if adopted follow suit?
In my view, ideological differences played a big role in derailing a development model, which if it had been honestly implemented might have improved the Iiveslihoods of Kenyans than is the case today.
Political power and resources competition was also to blame.
These factors triggered a multiplicity of unfortunate ingredients such as ethnicity, nepotism, cronyism, corruption and in a nutshell all the vices that have bedeviled this country since independence.
Is Kenya ready for Bottom-Up economic development approach?
Am not a pessimist but my unsolicited advice to Kenyans is that this model is stillborn.
This is because it doesn’t require rocket science to know that the factors that existed after independence and which failed the Sessional Paper No.10 are alive and kicking today.
It is not my intention to hurt or demoralize supporters of the Bottom-Up model who are being called Hustlers but the truth of the matter is that those selling them the concept are liars, dishonest and heartless leaders.
As Karl Marx stated, this Bottom-Up rhetoric is truly the opium of mind for some people.
Mine is to hope that by the time those smoking this opium sober up, this advice will remind them never to be taken for a ride again.
Kaunda wa Muchunku
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