Guardanian nails Obama coming visit. Just symbolic

[RV Pundit]

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Expect nothing concrete from it
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/21/obama-kenya-africa-policy-symbolic

[RV Pundit]

Article is written by Dr Adekeye Adebajo from Capetown.

[Emali]

Calling Obama's visit 'Just Symbolic' is a bit of a stretch...I don't think most Kenyans view it that way...personally I know I do not, apart for sentimental reasons I think given the mess he inherited from Dubya he has done remarkably well. What exactly do you expect of him? its not like the Chinese or Americans will give us a blank check and even if they did its effect would not be transformational thanks to anything negative you can conjure up...e.g.

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Uasin-Gishu-unspent-Sh15bn-raises-queries/-/1064/2800356/-/q9oo5mz/-/index.html

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/NYS-Corruption-Scandal-Uhuru-Kenyatta/-/440808/2793252/-/15iq7n8/-/index.html

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/How-officials-are-swindling-counties-of-billions/-/1064/2799198/-/jm3wuv/-/index.html


Obama at the very least is an example to many and has Kenyan heritage....we don't always have to squeeze Lemons out of everything...cant we at least celebrate for once

[Omollo]

Expectations were unrealistic

[MOON Ki]

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Uasin-Gishu-unspent-Sh15bn-raises-queries/-/1064/2800356/-/q9oo5mz/-/index.html

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/NYS-Corruption-Scandal-Uhuru-Kenyatta/-/440808/2793252/-/15iq7n8/-/index.html

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/How-officials-are-swindling-counties-of-billions/-/1064/2799198/-/jm3wuv/-/index.html

The Kenyan list is much, much longer.    On the "brighter" side, the continental leaders in this sort of thing are at least asking for a different kind of help.   This is a special note for Dr Adekeye Adebajo, who is a Nigerian.

Buhari:

$150 billion in funds stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts on behalf of former, corrupt officials is a testament to how badly Nigeria has been runhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-20/buhari-seeks-obama-s-aid-to-recover-150-billion-in-nigeria-loot

(And Nigeria keeps asking for American aid!  And here is one complaining about this, that, and the other! Take the log out of the eye, then ...)

Perhaps others will follow in trying to get their own money back from their own people before continuing with the usual begging.  As to testaments to how badly places on the continent have been run, I don't think any of us needs reminders.   Africans and their "leaders" need to start taking serious responsibility for themselves and the continent; that is the only thing that will bring positive and lasting change.  Oh, and learn a few things from the parts of Asia that have done well or are getting there.  No outsider is going to fix the sort of looting indicated above, the endless mayhem and crimes against humanity, etc.

For Kenyan sentiments on Obama's visit, I suggest a look at the Kenyan dailies, e.g. Daily Nation. 

[Omollo]

I fear for Buhari. He should refresh on the beliefs of Danton who wrote: Let us be terrible to prevent the people from becoming so

[Georgesoros]

Pundit
I disagree. Over the years USA has built Kenya to what it is today. USA cleared the bushes that China is building on. Unfortunately Americans are not the most adventurous crowd when it comes to Africa. USA built Germany, Japan, China to what they are today.

[Kim Jong-Un's Pajama Pants]

I think the reason the US is seen as not helping is because their areas of focus are in things like health and nutrition.  Once the African is healthy and well fed, he forgets just how important that is. 

Because these are considered basic essentials, they do not leave a lasting impression.

Ade is falling in that same trap.

[Kadudu]

Even the gays?

Expect nothing concrete from it
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/21/obama-kenya-africa-policy-symbolic

[Kadudu]

You forgot South Korea.

Pundit
I disagree. Over the years USA has built Kenya to what it is today. USA cleared the bushes that China is building on. Unfortunately Americans are not the most adventurous crowd when it comes to Africa. USA built Germany, Japan, China to what they are today.

[RV Pundit]

As Obama travel through China donated & funded JKIA-Gigiri road improvement (including addition of 3rd lane of Mombasa roadJKIA-Gigiri road ) to launch a talk shop and flame wars on gay rights in UN compound  before going through  China constructed and ADB funded Thika SuperHighway to address Kenyans in China donated and funded Kasarani Stadium, I hope he will feel a tinge of shame and regret of the missed opportunities to help his father lands.

He might consider check out what China has been doing right and getting accolade in Africa

He will see very very little American influence in kenya. Perhaps he'll only see GM and Caterpillar mantrac along the road.

All over he'll see an incredibly improved city, sky-crappers, cranes, shopping malls and booming city that has receive a lot of help from Chinese.

The chinese whose economy and gloat even now is still not at par with US.

I hope this inspire Obama to do something..so next time he won't come to open yet another talk shop....but to open MEGA HYRDO dam of 20,0000 MW in Africa...or to open a brand new electric rail line in Africa.

Obama has FAILED Africa. He has done nearly nothing. Nothing new or different from his predecessors. In fact far less.

As he flies back, he'll look back at his father's land only to see Chinese busy building the country including GreenField project at the airport that is rolling a brand new runnaway and airport...so the next time he flies here as former US president..without shutting down the country he'll be quickly processed through the airport.

[Kadudu]

Punda, you do not just get it.
America despite having a population of less than 400 million is still the biggest economy in the world. Have a look at the list with the biggest companies in the world and you have almost 50 in top 100 being from the US. US has hidden technology i.e. not that one always sees with the eye. That is why Google and not China Road Construction Company is one of the biggest company in the world. Even to date China is no match to US GM in making cars, an old tradiotnal trade.
In short, ignore the US and you will miss big chances.

Once again, Obama is US president and if he was a failure he would not be serving his second term. Ask Americans how much he has improed their economy. That is what counts and not what he has done for Africans.
 

As Obama travel through China donated & funded JKIA-Gigiri road improvement (including addition of 3rd lane of Mombasa road) to launch a talk shop in UN compound  before go through  China constructed and ADB funded Thika SuperHighway to address Kenyans in China donated and funded Kasarani Stadium, I hope he will feel a tinge of shame and regret of the missed opportunities to help his fatherlands.

He might consider check out what China has been doing right and getting accolade in Africa

JKIA-Gigiri road http://china.aiddata.org/projects/1110


He will see very very little American influence in kenya. Perhaps he'll only see GM and Caterpillar mantrac along the road.

All over he'll see an incredibly improved city, sky-crappers, cranes, shopping malls and booming city that has receive a lot of help from Chinese.

The chinese whose economy and gloat even now is still not at par with US.

I hope this inspire Obama to do something..so next time he won't come to open yet another talk shop....but to open MEGA HYRDO dam of 20,0000 MW in Africa...or to open a brand new electric rail line in Africa.

Obama has FAILED Africa. He has done nearly nothing. Nothing new or different from his predecessors. In fact far less.

[RV Pundit]

First I'm not Punda. You need to go back to the toilet.com and relieve yourself. Second you've just written trash. China has Baidu and many tech companies that now go toe to toe with US. Name any tech and China is there or getting there. Last I checked the biggest listed  tech IPO recently was China's.

But that is not the point. US is indeed very rich and powerful. And has done a lot for Europe and some other countries.

But it has done nothing for Africa. Nearly nothing.

In Kenya it nearly nothing...Chinese are taking over from the British. A very smaller island of 60M people with even bigger heart than the US.

Go to nearly every Africa country and China are getting a accolades. They are not treating Africa with condescension like poor beggar but they are treating them like equals partners. The same way US treated Europe for example. China is not afraid to lend poor country like kenya 5B USD of loan. Or nearly 50% of all it collected tax revenue.

The way US has treated it's black people, is not any different from how it treats Africa. Obama was suppose to change that. In the end he hasn't. There is now NEW MODEL coming out of USAID. Nothing...same old BS.

Punda, you do not just get it.
America despite having a population of less than 400 million is still the biggest economy in the world. Have a look at the list with the biggest companies in the world and you have almost 50 in top 100 being from the US. US has hidden technology i.e. not that one always sees with the eye. That is why Google and not China Road Construction Company is one of the biggest company in the world. Even to date China is no match to US GM in making cars, an old tradiotnal trade.
In short, ignore the US and you will miss big chances.

Once again, Obama is US president and if he was a failure he would not be serving his second term. Ask Americans how much he has improed their economy. That is what counts and not what he has done for Africans.

[Kadudu]

Why are you rejecting your old nickname?
Why do you reduce Africa to wait for people with a "heart for Africa"? Today's world is buisness. What do you have that I need and vice versa. Waiting for tokens you will wait forever. The US is a pure capitalistic society and only goes to places where it sees profit.

BTW if the US is doing nothing as you say why are so many Kenyans of FB, use Google and all those other US inventions?

First I'm not Punda. You need to go back to the toilet.com and relieve yourself. Second you've just written trash. China has Baidu and many tech companies that now go toe to toe with US. Name any tech and China is there or getting there. Last I checked the biggest listed  tech IPO recently was China's.

But that is not the point. US is indeed very rich and powerful. And has done a lot for Europe and some other countries.

But it has done nothing for Africa. Nearly nothing.

In Kenya it nearly nothing...Chinese are taking over from the British. A very smaller island of 60M people with even bigger heart than the US.

Go to nearly every Africa country and China are getting a accolades. They are not treating Africa with condescension like poor beggar but they are treating them like equals partners. The same way US treated Europe for example. China is not afraid to lend poor country like kenya 5B USD of loan. Or nearly 50% of all it collected tax revenue.

The way US has treated it's black people, is not any different from how it treats Africa. Obama was suppose to change that. In the end he hasn't. There is now NEW MODEL coming out of USAID. Nothing...same old BS.

Punda, you do not just get it.
America despite having a population of less than 400 million is still the biggest economy in the world. Have a look at the list with the biggest companies in the world and you have almost 50 in top 100 being from the US. US has hidden technology i.e. not that one always sees with the eye. That is why Google and not China Road Construction Company is one of the biggest company in the world. Even to date China is no match to US GM in making cars, an old tradiotnal trade.
In short, ignore the US and you will miss big chances.

Once again, Obama is US president and if he was a failure he would not be serving his second term. Ask Americans how much he has improed their economy. That is what counts and not what he has done for Africans.

[RV Pundit]

You're tying yourself in endless knots. Let keep the focus where it should be. US GOV role in Kenya and Africa.I have no beef with US people, their private sector and such. My beef here is what has Obama administration done for Africa. My take. Pretty much NOTHING. During the same period of time..China (poorer china if that makes you happy) has done incredibly amount of work around Africa. Obama will see it here in Nairobi and he'll see even more dramatic scenes in Adis Ababa. In Adis he'll see US DEAD AID [Ethiopia is among top USAID beneficiaries] and China working model.

 And ohoo there is no doubt that we need help. 80,000 folks applied for 1,000 positions.

If you think we should just pursue "business" end of things then surely this is beyond your paygrade and I suggest you go back to the toilet.com and make it your home.

We won't miss your contribution. Sorry I.

Why are you rejecting your old nickname?
Why do you reduce Africa to wait for people with a "heart for Africa"? Today's world is buisness. What do you have that I need and vice versa. Waiting for tokens you will wait forever. The US is a pure capitalistic society and only goes to places where it sees profit.

BTW if the US is doing nothing as you say why are so many Kenyans of FB, use Google and all those other US inventions?

[RV Pundit]

My last take on this. US instead of going into useless propaganda against China, should find out why Chinese are getting stuff done despite the insecurity, corruptions and the usual Africa problem. They should study the chinese model and adopt it. The chinese model works.

Chinese model circumvent the redtape and corruption. Projects get done on time and cost. They don't give the Africa big man the money. They wire the money to their own vetted contractor. Africa bigman get little sub contracts but job get done.

That is the model that has seen China take over Africa like a storm in 10yrs. Of course part of that model is incredible R&D that Chinese are rolling out. Building stuff in ways old Europe, Japan and US model never imagined. Building roads that last forever using just red soil so quickly. Build rail lines so quickly using simple technologies.

[Emali]

You're tying yourself in endless knots. Let keep the focus where it should be. US GOV role in Kenya and Africa.I have no beef with US people, their private sector and such. My beef here is what has Obama administration done for Africa. My take. Pretty much NOTHING. During the same period of time..China (poorer china if that makes you happy) has done incredibly amount of work around Africa. Obama will see it here in Nairobi and he'll see even more dramatic scenes in Adis Ababa. In Adis he'll see US DEAD AID [Ethiopia is among top USAID beneficiaries] and China working model.

 And ohoo there is no doubt that we need help. 80,000 folks applied for 1,000 positions.

If you think we should just pursue "business" end of things then surely this is beyond your paygrade and I suggest you go back to the toilet.com and make it your home.

We won't miss your contribution. Sorry I.

Why are you rejecting your old nickname?
Why do you reduce Africa to wait for people with a "heart for Africa"? Today's world is buisness. What do you have that I need and vice versa. Waiting for tokens you will wait forever. The US is a pure capitalistic society and only goes to places where it sees profit.

BTW if the US is doing nothing as you say why are so many Kenyans of FB, use Google and all those other US inventions?

I wont argue much on 'what America has done for us' my concern is whether China is any different, IMO China just hit the Lottery and are awash with cash...what is $100 Billion to them? with their communist roots(one vast homogeneous red army) they are not any different from Bill Gates...in as far as where and how they chose to spend their money.

What exactly is China's strategic foreign policy? does anyone know? whatever it is as a Chinese national you better agree or else...time will tell when they get fat like every human does when $$$ is too much to count and rules don't matter any more...imagine 1,000 billionaires going against the party.

China may have reverse engineered itself into 1st place but that was the easy part...they have to sustain it and manage the 1 billion plus people with a rungu without falling apart.

We will take their loans but its too early to put them on a pedestal...

[vooke]

Kung Fu is busy laying infrastructure so they can have it easy traporting their loot back home. But it's better than nothing

[Kim Jong-Un's Pajama Pants]

Kung Fu is busy laying infrastructure so they can have it easy traporting their loot back home. But it's better than nothing

The American contributes more than nothing to the Kenyan.  Mostly to do with health and well being.  These are things whose importance is only apparent when one loses them.

I am sure MOON Ki would ask what the Kenyan or Naija has contributed decades after earning his freedom.  A more valid question.

[RV Pundit]

Why do you call it loot yet chinese have not invade us with guns like Europeans did.

Kung Fu is busy laying infrastructure so they can have it easy traporting their loot back home. But it's better than nothing