Kenya and Singapore

Every now and then you hear the Prime minister making comparisons between Kenya and Singapore and how the two countrys should be at par.According to an article in the Standard on 26th March 2011,Donald.B.Kipkorir compares the two countries in the following aspects.We have much in common with Singapore; we are former British colonies, and both were gifted independence nearly same time. However, our paths have taken different trajectories. It is easy to explain why by showing why Singapore has succeeded.

When Singapore was expelled from Malaysia in 1965, it was a 697sqkm of useless land abutting the sea and inhabited by a poor fishing community of two million people most of who lived in leaking boats. Kenya was then a rich newly independent country with territory 900 times bigger. Forty-five years later, Singapore with a population of five million people only, has an economy with GDP of $234 billion. With our population of 40 million people, we are happy with an economy that is worth $30 billion.

Its excellent civil service, first class education, top grade infrastructure, and benevolent dictatorship underpin Singapore’s economic success. When the results for our schools national examinations are announced, the ambitions of top students are predictable: neurosurgery, actuarial science and engineering. In Singapore, top students join the teaching profession. Teaching is the most prestigious career there. The education system is so exacting but same time creating an enabling environment for all. Everyone goes to university. The top students go to study teaching and other careers, while the bottom students join universities for beauty therapy. Whatever one becomes, the process is rigorous and under complete control and supervision of Ministry of Education. Singapore scores at the top in all international school tests. If teachers are the top of class, how else can anyone fail?

By its education system, Singapore has created a civil service that is based on merit and performance. The best rise to the top of their careers with annual salaries reaching $2 million. Civil servants earn more than politicians. There, politicians do not dictate the civil service. Most politicians and ministers were career civil servants. Due to its meritocratic civil service, the politicians end up being the best. A minister, who had risen to the top of his civil service career through sheer merit, will always promote same principles and philosophy.

Singapore Changi Airport is repeatedly voted the best airport in the world. It handles over 42 million passengers per year. The Singapore Port is the world’s busiest, and is a favourite port of call for most ships. Its road network is first-rate. Internet and telephone penetration and connection is total. With such infrastructure and supported by top-rate universities, there is no excuse for failure. The only way is up.

Singapore has also developed a venerable medical sector. Every one has either mandatory or government-subsidized medical cover. And of their tiny enclave of a country, 50 per cent of Singapore is covered in forests and water-marshes for environmental balance. No country in the world has such forest cover. There are no poor people or destitute in Singapore. No images of emaciated people trying to survive by boiling wild fruits.

Above all, Singapore has developed because of benevolent dictatorship. Its founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, ruled till his retirement in 1990 by iron-grip and brooking no dissent. On retirement, he handed over power to his son, Lee Hsien Loon. While the son is Prime Minister, the father is called Minister Mentor — the real power figure.

In Kenya, we have political leadership that is deeply wanting in education, strategy and vision. We elect those who have failed in their careers or even fugitives from justice, and we expect to change. If we keep re-electing leaders in the current calibre and expecting to be like Singapore, we would, like the co-conspirator Servilius Casca in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare say, but "… wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens?" 

Just to show you how Singapore has developed i hereby present to you images of one of Singapore newest and probably the worlds most magnificent hotel,The Singapore Sky Park.

Now compare it with Kenya.....