State of our economy, not ICC should make us tense

As the country waits for the International Criminal Court ( ICC) to give its verdict on Monday on whether the Ocampo Six have a case to answer, we should not forget that there is more to the country than a verdict we have no power over.

Some media houses are busy trying to create an atmosphere of fear and apprehension with reports that the country is gripped in tension or that it could “slide into tribal tension,” whatever that is.

Tension is what happened before the eruption of violence in 2007. I don’t sense anything this time around.

It is a fact that everyone is keen on knowing what would happen next, so it would be right to say we are all anxious to know the verdict, but tension gripping the country? Please!

The 2010 constitution referendum caused more panic than the much awaited ICC ruling.

There was panic buying in Nairobi supermarkets, SMSs were sent to instil fear and a sense of foreboding… and it all came to pass, peacefully.

The ICC ruling has been caught up in anger over new county boundaries, botched Form One selection, reduced fuel prices for non-existent fuel, rush to pass and comply with new laws, fight over an election date, drama over the fate of the Deputy Chief Justice etc.

There is no room for tension here. Anticipation yes, tension no. Anxiety yes, tension no. Probably an outsider can give us a better assessment of what should make us tense.

Last week, the Legatum Prosperity Index 2011 released its annual report, and Kenya is ranked 102 overall out of 110 countries. We ranked lower than East African countries in most. Burundi was not ranked.

The sub-indexes used are economy, entrepreneurship and opportunity, governance, education, health, safety and security, freedom and social capital.

In the economy, entrepreneurship & opportunity, and governance categories, Kenya is ranked 109, 89, and 97 respectively. Tanzania is ranked 101, 105 and 74 respectively. Rwanda is better at 97, 99 and 60 respectively.

In education and health, Kenya is ranked 97 and 99 respectively. Tanzania is ranked 95 and 101 respectively. Rwanda is ranked 96 and 100 respectively with Uganda at 98 and 104 respectively.

In safety & security and personal freedom, Kenya is ranked 102 and 82 respectively.

Take note that in the economy category, Kenya is ranked 109, second last, beating only Zimbabwe, while in safety and security it is ranked 102 out of 110. Now should cause tension.