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THE FIRE NEXT TIME
President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the victor of a tightly-contested election in Kenya this week—beating his opponent Raila Odinga, and surpassing the 50% mark to avoid a run-off. Grandmothers gnarled with age and mothers carrying their babies braved a chilly morning in the capital Nairobi and heavy rains in parts of the country to exercise their democratic—and very expensive—right. It was a largely peaceful and hopeful election process, and according to observers, fairly conducted.
The vote also marked the end of an electioneering season where the peddling of fake news took center stage and the prospect of violence loomed large. As provisional results started trickling in, the opposition NASA coalition rejected the outcome, saying hackers had tampered with the electoral system. Hours later, they demanded the electoral commission stop displaying “unauthenticated results,” and declare Odinga president. Immediately afterwards, debates ensued nationwide over whether the commission should have waited for all the forms to be sent to the tallying center before streaming unofficial tallies on its website.
Kenyatta’s win disappointed some Kenyans—and especially the 6.7 million who voted for Odinga, and who hoped, like the prophet Joshua, he would deliver them to the promised land of Canaan. The 72-year-old Odinga, who was running for the fourth time, is viewed as a social reformer and a champion of marginalized groups. Many had also hoped that his picking would have broken the politics of patronage, large-scale corruption, extrajudicial killings, industrial strikes, and rising public debt that plagued Kenyatta’s first term.
In his victory speech, president Kenyatta fashioned his plea to Kenyans by promising “to lead this country to a much better place than I found it.” In his second and last term, he will have the power to deliver much-needed reforms. Given his Jubilee party’s big win in the parliament and senate, Kenyatta will also have to ensure that Kenya doesn’t recede to a one-party state with a mere veneer of democracy.
Kenyatta’s work starts with addressing the violence that has rocked opposition strongholds, and guaranteeing protesters’ constitutional freedom to assemble and demonstrate. The government should also actively reach out to the NASA coalition, investigate the killing of pro-opposition protesters, and ensure that justice is served.
However, if Kenyatta doesn’t fashion a new Kenya in the next few days, weeks, and years, he will leave behind a country where Kenyans will have to deal with the consequences of the fire next time.
Abdi Latif Dahir, Quartz Africa Nairobi correspondent
Stories from this week
Why African fintech startups are attracting even more investors. Over $100 million has been invested in African fintech startups since 2015 and more investors are getting on board. Yomi Kazeem learns fintech appeals for two reasons. It’s attractive to traditional VCs at home and from as far away as Silicon Valley who are seeking a familiar investment sector. But fintech also appeals to social impact investors seeking to boost financial inclusion in developing countries.
Donald Trump’s non-policy towards Africa could actually work. The US State Dept. has neglected to fill key positions for its depleted Africa team, suggesting an ambivalence towards developing existing ties with the continent. But Matthew T. Page argues the Trump administration’s focus on the likes of North Korea and China leaves longstanding apolitical US-Africa policymakers in a position to shape their own path without the usual political interference.
A mixed week for South Africa. South African president Jacob Zuma survived his latest vote of no confidence despite the national assembly conducting the motion by secret ballot. The outcome left the ANC weakened and the nation divided and disillusioned over their future. But Wayde van Niekerk’s win 400m final at the world championships in London offered South Africans a window of distraction they needed.
Digital mapping will change the way Nigeria does business. A paucity of formal addressing and comprehensive mapping makes it hard for e-commerce companies to do business without inconsistencies or mistakes. The arrival of new digital addressing and mapping systems could have a real impact in the way some of these companies do business.
Rates of diabetes are rising in Sub-Saharan Africa. Diabetes has become more widespread as global rates of disposable income and personal wealth increase. But in Sub-Saharan Africa, healthcare systems aren’t advanced enough to deal with complications from diabetes.
Marvel is working with Nnedi Okorafor on a new comic set in Lagos. Marvel Comics is teaming up with Nnedi Okorafor to produce an eight-page comic book for its upcoming Venomverse anthology which will be set in Lagos. The Nigerian-American Sci-fi writer Okorafor is also bringing Afrofuturism to HBO as her novel Who Fears Death is being adapted with help from Games of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin.
CHART OF THE WEEK
Is Rwanda’s growth miracle a mirage? Rwanda has been hailed as an African economic success story over the last decade, with numerous impressive economic indicators including GDP per capita growth. But the Review of African Political Economy says closer inspection of the figures do not align with independent household surveys as they should. As Dan Kopf notes, it could spell bad news for the future of Rwanda’s economy.
Other Things We Liked
The parallel Nigerian “government” in China. Nigerians have grown to become the largest African migrant group in China and a communal governance system is serving as a bridge between the migrants, their host communities and the Chinese government. With a constitution, an elected President-General and an informal justice system which mirror China’s, the community regulates itself to settle disputes, further interests and maintain a positive relationship with China, Oreva Olakpe writes in The Republic.
The revival of a 1950s South African musical about a promising country. The musical ‘King Kong’ which starred singer Miriam Makeba on stage, a teenage Hugh Masekela in the orchestra and was watched by Nelson and Winnie Mandela in the audience back in 1959, told a story which promised much about what an integrated South Africa could be. For New York Times, Rosyln Lucas writes on the play’s revival in Cape Town this month. It opens in Johannesburg next month.
Keep an eye on
Inflation in southern Africa (Aug.14). Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe will all release inflation data on Monday Aug. 14. After its legendary years of hyperinflation and currency problems, Zimbabwe’s economy has been going through a period of deflation. But its annual inflation rate is expected to come in around 2%-3% for 2017.
Our best wishes for a productive and thought-filled week ahead. Please send any news, comments, suggestions, fintech investment opportunities and African Marvel comics to africa@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter at @qzafrica for updates throughout the day.
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