Why the Chinese are in Kenya to stay

China is the largest populated state on the planet, with 1.4 billion people, effectively hosting 20 per cent of the earth’s population.

In the last decade, Chinese geopolitical influence has expanded and at 10 trillion dollars in GDP, it will soon eclipse the US as the largest economy. Even here in Kenya, the Chinese influence is apparent.

The past few years have witnessed an expanding Chinese population. This will only accelerate with the Sino-Kenyan partnership. When the Chinese foreign minister came visiting, he indicated that China favours the policy of “industrial relocation” which may indicate that more Chinese will come in the next decade.

Just like the Kenya-Uganda railway brought in the Indian “coolies” who ended up as Kenyan Indians and have, since their entry, strode the Kenya’s economic space like a colossus, the standard gauge railway may inundate the Kenyan nation with Chinese who end up establishing long-term business and social networks.

That we are increasingly witnessing Chinese presence in commerce, infrastructure, and even in crime, is a clear testimony that the inevitable will happen. We have seen Chinese merchants establish their presence in all major towns. The foundation of permanent Chinese presence in Kenya has, therefore, been laid.

CHINATOWNS

However, the most enduring Chinese influence would be the permanent Chinese settlements, usually called Chinatowns.

Chinatowns are enclaves within a large established city whose cultural and social distinctions are centred on food, and as a result, Chinatowns worldwide are usually popular destinations for various ethnic Chinese and other Asians such as Vietnamese, Thai, and Malaysian. Most Chinatowns generally have a range of authentic and tourist restaurants. Practically every major city in the world has a Chinatown.

In Europe, the earliest of these can be traced to Liverpool, England when the first direct trading vessel from China arrived in Liverpool’s docks in the 1830s to trade in goods, including silk and cotton wool.
In the Americas, which include the US, Canada, and Latin America, Chinatowns have been around since the 1800s. The most prominent ones are in New York City, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto.

New York City is home to several Chinatowns. The Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the largest in North America and the oldest north of Mexico.

There are three noteworthy Chinatowns in Africa located in the coastal African nations of Madagascar, Mauritius, and South Africa. South Africa has the largest Chinatown and the largest Chinese population of any African country.

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Where will be Nairobi’s Chinatown? The Chinese will localise their settlement in a particular part. Will it be Kirinyaga Road, Kariokor, Eastleigh, Westlands or South B? I would bet the area bound by River Road, Moi and Haile Selassie avenues.

But will the Nairobi Chinatown bring forth economic prosperity, social and cultural harmony? We need to exhibit maturity and tolerance but ensure that the leadership puts the business interests of Kenyans first.

At the same time, Chinese interests should be protected but aligned to the aspirations of the Kenyan people.

Overall, a Chinatown would enhance Nairobi’s image as a cosmopolitan city.

Dr Cherutich is the chairman of the Public Society of Kenya ([email protected])