Left behind: How South Korea overtook Kenya in development

Visiting South Korea for a Kenyan can be inspiring and depressing.

Inspiring because this nation is an example of what is possible with the right leadership, discipline and policies. Depressing because it is a reminder of our unattained potential.

At independence in 1963, the economies of the two countries were at par.

In fact, a story is told of how Jomo Kenyatta offered Sh10,000 to South Korea. And that is where the comparison ends.

While Kenya is still described as a developing nation, South Korea is a powerhouse with brands like Daewoo, KIA, Samsung and LG.

“After overcoming two wars and occupation, South Korea succeeded in industrialisation, democratisation and ‘informatisation’ with support of allies. It has become a leading country in development aid. It would not be an exaggeration to say south Korea is a proud asset to humanity,” said Hong Duckryul, the Daegu University President .

South Korea is the world’s 15th largest economy with per capita income of $33,629 compared to Kenya’s $1,300.

And while Kenya boasts of a 35-kilometre six-lane Thika Superhighway, 10 lanes of roads with multi-storey interchanges covering thousands of kilometres are the norm in South Korea.

Metropolises like Seoul, Buson, Daegu and Chungbuk are connected through a web of highways, airports and speed rail.

In a country that is 70 per cent mountainous, continuous traffic flow is attained through tunnelling.

More than 80 per cent of the 50 million citizens live in apartments, some as high as 90 storeys.

These are properly planned and well-maintained blocks with shopping centres, schools, roads and other amenities.

South Koreans will apologise for traffic jams causing delays of 15 minutes in peak time. 

Manufacturing in Kenya suffers as the country has become a supermarket for imports.

In Korea, police and other public officials, including ministers, drive local models like Daewoo and KIA.

Locally made TVs, home theatres and lifts are found in hotels and other buildings. That way, South Koreans ensure their factories thrive.

While Kenya’s envisioned tech city — Konza — remains a patchwork of contested savannah, South Korea has created 80 innovation centres.

Dreamers are encouraged to innovate in order to drive tomorrow’s industrial revolution.

Anyone who proves he is working on something that will revolutionise, improve or generate products for the industry is given free office space and printers for six months.

When an idea shows promise of making it to the production stage, the innovator is linked up with financiers and industrialists.

Out of this, newer versions of the Samsung cell phone, TVs and other products are in the offing.

Koreans are already thinking about the Green economy where solar, wind and other renewable resources will play the biggest role in industry.

Everywhere one goes, there is no shortage of governors, mayors and national government officials eager to entertain and show visitors how great their country is.

They have converted traditional Korean homes into multi-million businesses attracting tourists. Some of the most sought after real estate is in villages.

And there is a condition. They must be maintained in their current form.

In the rush to modernise and turn everything into retirement flats, Kenyans are losing their inheritance.

Soon, it may not be possible to describe a Maasai manyatta, Luhya, Luo, Kikuyu or Kalenjin hut or even their cuisine.