Kenya has long been a very diverse country but today I submit that within 100 years the demographic make up of this country will have radically shifted. First the policy direction kamwana is taking will absorb alot of Africans into the National fabric. This slot we know will be taken up mostly by our Naija kin but if kenya continues to prosper economically and democratically some northerners may also see opportunity to stream in. We are already awash with illeagal horners and south sudan ninjas( ) but even friendly ethiopia might also start depositing some of their people on our boders.
Next immigrats will obviously come from the two most populus countries as kenya has strong historical ties with both. The Chinese have already started coming in and if the one belt one road project matures I am assuming they may come here in droves. The other country is India whose population is rising and will surpass China by 2040. They already have historical ties and getting in will be easy.
So what does this mean for our beautiful country. The curse of success is real and its not a bad curse to have for the price of prosperity immigrants are abound. If they add to the National Cake mimi sina shida but what do u think what is National Identity really?
It’s all good as long as there are laws to protect locals and locals enjoy some economic privileges.
By locals I mean the common man not politicians.
Otherwise it’s just another useless idea.
I actually agree with this the reason I’ve outlined this is because i have noted some xenophobic tendencies in this village even towards fellow countrymen. These sentiments will grow if immigration grows and immigration will grow so long as kenya prospers.
Indians have been here for generations and there are probably 500k since time za railway. The good thing is that Africans multiply faster, foreigners will never be more than us. Even the Rwandan and South Sudanese refugees sidhani wamefika 100k.
It’s funny how we aren’t mentioning Tanzanians na weko kibao hapa .ke. you know why, as long as they come in to work mostly as househelp and other lowly paying jobs, we are okay with it.
But when Our Naija Brothers come in and move in some dope Neighborhood’s, we start complaining.
Xenophobia proper hasn’t started yet. Wait this immigrants start doing well than us.
Maybe the influx of immigrants will help galvanise a national identity? That is, it will be “us Kenyans” vs the foreigners. Maybe it will eliminate tribalism.
But who is a local, chinkus that came in the 2000 and got a kid here, that kid is a local and will soon turn 20 and start competing for the same opportunities as other Kenyans
We just need to be smart about it and welcome the top tier creme de la creme from those countries. Top Chinese scientists, Indian industrialists, Nigerian professors, etc. Talent and capital do not know skin colour or ethnicity.
What we absolutely don’t need are the Igbo “hustlers” from Enugu State who are known for very specific " enterprises". We have enough hustlas in Kenya as it is.
Something iv never understood, there are no jobs, opportunities for kenyan graduates. Instead of opening borders for well funded immigrants who guarantee that they will open businesses to hire these youths, unafungulia mpaka con artists, wezi,drug dealers and all. What do you think will happen to already frustrated jobless graduate from kenyan university?
We can’t ape America and Canada. Their civilization and economy grew centuries earlier. They need labor force that’s why they open border for expatriates and educated folks. Who are we opening borders for? Are we vetting these people? What are they bringing along with them?
My take: 10yrs from now you will start facing social problems that other countries like south Africa have leading to xenophobia. It’s loading. …
I’m really surprised by your stand on this issue!
As I read it I was thinking about you and expected a radical anti immigration statement from you.
I’m shocked!!!
Change is inevitable and nothing remains the same.
Hata mimi naona lots of Xenophobia in our future if immigration continues and our youths arent absorbed in the economy. But I have a very pessimistic disposition
Yep, true. A system where your family can be tracked back a couple generations can be adopted.
By the way that’s what they need to do when we start drilling the oil commercially. For the turkanas and give the rest of us subsidized food and fuel and electricity.
Xenophobia is near! It started with (South) Sudanese refugees, then Baringo Man opened the flood gates for Somali refugees halafu sasa Naijas and Ching’ Chong’/Pakistanis. We are being over-run!!
Maybe this is how guys in America/Europe feel about having non-locals “taking over”