Man who has helped bring China closer

Former Kenyan vice-president explains how he thinks his country has benefited from its close ties with Beijing

Calling Kenya's former vice-president Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka a friend of China is an understatement. He has visited China 15 times, he says, and he is one of the architects behind the nations' warm relationship.

"The relationship between the two countries is excellent. It has grown steadily and stronger over the years in matters of common interest," says Kalonzo during an interview at his residence in Nairobi.

His involvement started in 1988 when he was national organizing secretary of KANU, the independence party that governed for more than two decades, while also serving as deputy speaker in the National Assembly. "We took a deliberate position to build our relationship with China, upholding the position of the One China policy and we worked hard. The relations have deepened and there are possibilities of deepening further."

The converging interests have been many over the years. Among the most significant is when Africa backed China's bid to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

"The place of the People's Republic of China can no longer be ignored in world politics and trade today," Kalonzo says. "It still considers itself a developing nation despite being the second-biggest global economy, and most African countries happily associate with them."

China reciprocated when Kenya was in need. In 1996 there was a move to relocate the UN Environment Programme offices from Nairobi to Vienna, Austria citing security concerns. China and other members of the Group of 77, a coalition of developing nations, backed Kenya, resulting in the office not only remaining in Nairobi but also being elevated to a fully fledged UN agency.

"China is a true friend of Kenya, and they have stood by other developing nations while humbly referring to itself as one despite its rapid growth. They do not pretend to have expansionist intentions in their engagements with Africa hence successive African governments will continue engaging with China," says the opposition leader, who has declared his candidacy for president in 2017.

"High-level exchanges between China and Kenya have been numerous over the years. You only have to see the results of these visits to know that the relationship between the two countries is built on solid ground."

He says while visiting China, he marketed Kenya as a preferred tourist destination. "We knew that if only we could secure at least 3 percent of Chinese outbound tourists, our hospitality industry would stabilize from external shocks such as global recession and terrorism," he says.

Partly as a result of such efforts, Kenya Airways and Chinese carriers have initiated more flights between the two countries, which will be mutually beneficial.

In addition, there has been a visible increase in Chinese businesses in Kenya, contributing to job creation, especially in construction.

"China's rapid economic growth has been due to its focus in developing its infrastructure. And that is what they are duplicating in Africa, where they are contributing immensely in bridging the existing gap," he says.

He commends the quality and work ethic exhibited by Chinese contractors. "They build day and night and complete within stipulated time frames. Kenyans can emulate this since it demonstrates how China successfully fought poverty and grew its economy by double digits. I believe it will also solve most of Africa's perennial problems such as food shortages, insecurity and challenges that come with rapid urbanization."

As for infrastructure, he says: "A lot more can be done as we continue engaging with China. Chinese involvement has indeed pushed up supply as they are able to bring both the expertise and finances."

Technology transfers are very important, Kalonzo says. "We witnessed the Chinese edge in innovation during the construction of the Thika Superhighway. Kenyans are eager to learn, and I therefore insist on local inclusion."

He says inclusion is particularly important because Kenya's prospects in the extraction sector have improved. Recently, coal deposits were discovered in his home county of Kitui, he says, and a Chinese consortium is among the three firms pre-qualified by the energy ministry to be involved in exploiting it. Another consortium that includes Kenyan and Chinese companies won the bid to develop the 960 megawatt Lamu coal plant.

"Chinese have understood Africa very well and work in the prevailing landscape while integrating with the locals," Kalonzo says. "In a globalized world, the business community ends up carving its own clique, thus failing to learn and understand the needs of the community it is working in, hence capping innovation opportunities."

But Chinese firms working in Africa have adapted to some extent. "People-to-people contact cannot be overemphasized. These are nations living together," he says adding that Chinese tourists should not only visit parks but also communities for more cultural interaction.

Kalonzo, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya, says the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is key to deepening the relationship. "The China-Africa Development Fund and China Exim Bank are all avenues to further deepen private and public cooperation.

"I have always insisted that we should have a fully fledged Chinese bank in Kenya to pave way for the influx of Chinese private investors."

He calls establishment of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank exceptional, believing that it will also benefit Africa. "We want to see joint ventures that directly uplift lives of African people. The eventual arrival of the modern Silk Road aspires to do this, as it will bring in its stead infrastructure and development to the continent. The future looks bright for Sino-Africa relations."

China's One Belt, One Road Initiative is the term used for the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which would use trade and investment to improve ties along ancient trade routes and elsewhere.

He says he is convinced the initiative will boost Kenya as a gateway to Africa and will open up hinterlands such as the Democratic Republic of Congo that are rich in resources. "Africa is poised to be the global engine after China."

But challenges, such as terrorism spilling over from neighboring Somalia, still abound.

"I spent a long time bringing warring Somali clans together. We should not give up. Successive governments after the fall of Siad Barre have not been successful but we hope the current one will prevail. It, however, cannot be done by military incursions but by all neighboring nations withdrawing to a common border and letting the country take control," he says.

Kalonzo says the centrality of Kenya as Africa's growth driver has not been overlooked by China, the United States or other allies.

He spoke as Kenya prepares to welcome US President Barack Obama in July for the fourth time. The US president, whose father was born in Kenya, will make his first visit as president.

Analysts have pointed out the renewed US interest in Africa. This follows the first US-Africa summit in 2014 in Washington, which saw a $14 billion investment pledge by US companies in Africa. This was a significant shift in US foreign policy from aid to private investment.

Obama's visit is emotive, says Kalonzo, given his Kenyan ancestry. His visit's focus will include global security, particularly in Somali.

But Kalonzo doubts the visit will affect the Nairobi-Beijing relationship. "Kenya is a member of the non-aligned movement and it will continue to play this neutral role."

China continues to be a very good partner of Africa, Kalonzo says, citing Mozambique and Angola. "China's approach was with no strings attached and sincerity in helping the continent bridge its infrastructure gap. Quality was an issue previously but this has been ramped up."

He predicts that China's role in the global scene will continue expanding. Africa wants to find its own space but to do so, reversals such as intolerance and xenophobia need to be a thing of the past, he says.

"This is the moment for Africa, and the world recognizes this. It is not a scramble for Africa but it is viewed as a healthy investment destination," says Kalonzo.

However, he emphasizes the need to organize priorities by being accountable and responsible.

"The Chinese policy of non-interference is the right one, but we are maligning them when we fail our constituents and then turn to them as partners. The Chinese should also make a stand of not working with despots."

Contact the writers at lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 05/22/2015 page32)