Experts see no big economic policy shift under Uhuru

Kenya’s 4th President Uhuru Kenyatta is sworn into office on April 9, 2013 in Nairobi by Chief Registrar Gladys Sholei (left) as his wife Margaret (right) looks on. Photo/TONY KARUMBA  AFP

By XINHUA

In Summary

• International relations expert Macharia Munene said President Uhuru Kenyatta is unlikely to overhaul economic policies.
• President Kenyatta also expected to foster closer ties with the EAC nations.

Kenya’s leadership transition is unlikely to lead to major changes in the country’s economic and foreign policy, but will likely usher in renewed emphasis on strengthening ties with the world’s newest economic powerhouses, analysts say.

International relations expert Macharia Munene said President Uhuru Kenyatta, who served in retired President Mwai Kibaki’s Cabinet as Finance minister, is unlikely to overhaul economic policies, but would be looking to enhance trade ties with East African neighbours.

“The economic policy is likely to emphasise more on the policies that will lead to wealth creation so that the country can share resources out among all citizens,” Prof Munene told Xinhua in an interview.

Mr Kenyatta’s inauguration guest list had an emphasis mostly on African nations, whose leaders were expected to dominate the lavish oath-taking ceremony.

(Read: Eleven presidents witness Kenya’s change of guard)

Prof Munene said having served in Kibaki’s government, the 51-year-old Kenyatta is likely to maintain the same economic policies. He said it was easily predictable that President Kenyatta would stick to the economic blueprint, Vision  2030, initiated by Mr Kibaki.

The blueprint seeks to enhance Kenya’s position as a regional economic powerhouse, being the transport, financial and telecommunication hub.

In the blueprint, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan, jointly agreed to pursue the construction of a second port in Lamu, leading to an entirely new transport infrastructure for Eastern Africa region.

“The primary focus for Mr Kenyatta’s government will be to strengthen its ties with the East African Community (EAC) member states. As close neighbours, Kenya deals with them more closely compared to the rest of the world,” Prof Munene noted.

The analyst said he expects the international community especially the United States and the European Union to adopt “a cautious” diplomatic approach to Kenya because Kenyatta and the deputy president elect
William Ruto are accused at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for being most responsible for the post election violence of 2007/08 that killed more than 1,300 people and displaced.

Political pundits have been categorical that the impending trials for both Kenyatta and Ruto will have a significant bearing on Kenya’s political and economic future.

Both Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto are accused of committing crimes against humanity to include murder, forced eviction and rape as post election skirmishes rocked Kenya in 2008.

The Hague-based international criminal court has summoned Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta to attend the opening trial session in person on May 28 and July 9 respectively.

Analysts fear that the lengthy trials for two leaders at The Hague bode ill for Kenya’s stability.