I always heard you don't need to be a mathematician to add 1
plus 1. Similarly, the on going SafariCom IPO will not require the opinion of re-knowned economist. I am not an economist but my basic math is unable to agree with
SafariCom shares that are about to be floated. I am keen on this
issue because, beyond owning business interests, i am a very caring
Kenyan and would like to invoke informed and thoughtful decision
making prior to falling a victim of a meticulously planned grand
scheme meant to further enrich the rich and influential.
I see something brewing in Kenya, something that may turn out to be
larger scandal than Kenya has ever seen. Something bigger than the
Goldenberg and the Anglo-leasing. I am not a prophet of doom but i see
a danger, a serious scandal in the magnitude of Enron if not bigger.
The only difference is we have an opportunity to make a decision now.
And the political leaders and economists are not talking about the bad
side of the coin.
The fight between the two political tigers (read ODM and PNU) is not
about the dangerous economic miscalculations we are about to embrace.
Their focus is a sharp contrast to what some ordinary Kenyans are
seeing. The two seem to have agreed on the sale of the shares, their
only bone of contention been implementation vis-a-vis; ODM ensuring
access of shares for everyone and PNU ensuring the sale of government
property is done accordingly and constitutionally - no elaboration.
It seems there are many things been pushed under the carpet - even
from an ordinary observers perspective.
Kenya has began its five-year political lease with despondency, gloom
and sadness. With the compromises and advances made towards
understanding and healing, the country is again rising back to its
feet albeit at a very slow pace. The recent crisis slabbed the economy
on the face and many Kenyans are poorer than they were a few months a
go. The SafariCom craze is too good to be true and will attract more
buyers than it would have a few months ago. That means millions of
Kenyans will be affected when the truth about the Safaricom Scheme
comes ashore. And i am fearful that Kenyans will have another 5 years
of talks, accuses, finger-pointing, pressing charges, jails,
deceptions and fake fights against corruption.
To those who wish to subscribe to Safaricom, i ask you to be cautious
about how many of your eggs go into that basket. It is however, my
hope that my assessment which now seems to be frightful and fear-
mongering turns out to be an undersight and proven wrong.
Two last thoughts to think over dinner; first, If there are others who
are harboring a gut feeling and constant nudging of something being
really wrong with this Safari craze, please share with fellow
Kenyans.. Second, if you have never thought about it, i would
encourage you do so today.
