Blind patriotism as the future of our children is mortgaged is foolish

Today I want to go personal. The reason will become clear by the time you finish reading this piece.

There comes a time in the life of a nation when individuals must assess what gains they derive from acquiescing to being a member of that political community.

That time has come up for me at least three times. The signing of the agreement on the standard gauge railway (SGR) on Sunday, May 11, was my third moment.

The second moment for me was in 2006, just after I finished graduate studies in the US and was presented with a job opportunity there.

I had left Kenya in 1999 to start my studies and Kenyatta University, then under Prof George Eshiwani, granted me leave with 80 per cent of my remuneration. This sign of goodwill became the basis of my decision in 2006 to return to Kenya.

I did not think of this return as doing Kenya a favour; I thought of it as Kenya doing me and my family a favour.

I had taken stock of the challenges that would face me while working in a public university and my children who had to relocate mid-way their primary school education.

Though I had no illusions of how difficult it would be, I was committed to giving back whatever Kenyatta University had given me. I served three years of my bond and still stayed on in the public university system where I currently serve.

I have three children. In bringing them all back to Kenya, I received a lot of condemnation from colleagues, both in the church we attended in the US and from colleagues in Kenya.

"STUPIDITY OF MY PATRIOTISM"

Upon arrival, I took my children to a local private primary school. Though a private academy, Brainston Academy is located at the heart of Githurai, a place that is a stark contrast from Evanston, Illinois where we had lived for five years.

Friends wondered why I returned to Kenya, and worse, why I took my children to a school in Githurai.

As I write, the boys adjusted, passed their exam and are in high school while my daughter, born in the US, is Kenyan in every way.

It is patriotism to Kenya that has driven my choices in the past; I hope that there is enough of it remaining to sustain my choices going forward.

But last week, the stupidity of my patriotism became apparent upon the signing of the SGR contract with the Chinese.

That single act of signing the contract mortgaged my children’s salary for a long time to come.

The signing was not about the Chinese bringing goodies before a delighted number of Presidents. The signature tied us to the Chinese apron coat for a long time to come.

"UNFAIRLY COMMIT OUR CHILDREN"

Some very brilliant Kenyans, like Dr David Ndii and Kiriro wa Ngugi, have intervened in this debate to demystify the high-sounding language in which the SGR is cast. Its promises are large but its cost is even larger.

I have not seen any credible supporter of the railway project who talks to the substance of its long-term implications.

The point Dr Ndii makes about inter-generational balance, the need to make sure that our investment today does not unfairly commit our children to debilitating debt, is a sound one.

This is why I worry, not about myself, but my children. The signature last week committed my children to pay for the SGR for a long time even before they finish school.

The manner in which the decisions have been made on this issue indicates that no one in government cares about my view on it.

A good many of those who support the project do so in complete ignorance and with utmost arrogance. My challenge going forward is to ensure my children have options.

They should not continue to be as foolish as I have been with blind patriotism to Kenya.

Godwin Murunga is senior research fellow, Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi. [email protected]