The Wahindis in Kenya - post expulsion and post Moi ....
Talk to people who are returning to the UK from their Kenyan holidays or business and sporting trips, they report in one common fashion, " The Asians are doing really well! They are making a lot of money. Why should they want to leave?"
Let us clarify one key point at the outset. We do not know how many of the Asians still living in Kenya today are citizens of that country. As citizens, they are entitled to work and live according to the norms of Kenyan society today.
Do the Asians have to be seen to be different today (than those Asians who were expelled from Uganda) if they are not Kenyan citizens? That is, different in their attitude, work and play and how they interact with local people? Is this a relevant question?
The people returning from Kenya also report that it has probably become difficult for many Asians to leave Kenya. Many have stayed too long and are aging. Others have not done too well financially but have held on to steady and skilled jobs at all levels. Both groups would find it difficult to emigrate to the countries of traditional choice, UK, US and Canada.
There is also the real possibility that politicians in Kenya have learnt a few lessons from their neighbours where the Asians had to leave following expulsion or the withdrawal of work permits?
What is the make up of the Asians who have decided to remain in Kenya? After all, the Ugandan Asian expulsion took place nearly 35 years ago. Has that event now lost its significance?
At the same time, a new generation of Kenyans have come into power. What do they think about the Asian presence, if at all, and their contribution? More importantly, a new generation of local Kenyans have moved into congested cities. They want jobs, education, health and welfare and safety. The Kenyan economy does not appear to have grown in order to to keep in pace with demand for jobs and public expectations.
How are the Asians and their leaders responding to these developments?
Talk to people who are returning to the UK from their Kenyan holidays or business and sporting trips, they report in one common fashion, " The Asians are doing really well! They are making a lot of money. Why should they want to leave?"
Let us clarify one key point at the outset. We do not know how many of the Asians still living in Kenya today are citizens of that country. As citizens, they are entitled to work and live according to the norms of Kenyan society today.
Do the Asians have to be seen to be different today (than those Asians who were expelled from Uganda) if they are not Kenyan citizens? That is, different in their attitude, work and play and how they interact with local people? Is this a relevant question?
The people returning from Kenya also report that it has probably become difficult for many Asians to leave Kenya. Many have stayed too long and are aging. Others have not done too well financially but have held on to steady and skilled jobs at all levels. Both groups would find it difficult to emigrate to the countries of traditional choice, UK, US and Canada.
There is also the real possibility that politicians in Kenya have learnt a few lessons from their neighbours where the Asians had to leave following expulsion or the withdrawal of work permits?
What is the make up of the Asians who have decided to remain in Kenya? After all, the Ugandan Asian expulsion took place nearly 35 years ago. Has that event now lost its significance?
At the same time, a new generation of Kenyans have come into power. What do they think about the Asian presence, if at all, and their contribution? More importantly, a new generation of local Kenyans have moved into congested cities. They want jobs, education, health and welfare and safety. The Kenyan economy does not appear to have grown in order to to keep in pace with demand for jobs and public expectations.
How are the Asians and their leaders responding to these developments?
posted by K Singh Ajimal at
11:28 pm
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