ICC Ruling not likely to dent business climate in Kenya

The ICC ruling on Kenya’s post election violence case was much awaited for and the business community was equally keen on the impact it could have on business. The days leading to the ruling were branded by most Kenyan media as highly tense, a factor that caught the attention of business as people waited to see what sort of reaction the country would display.

But in what seemed to be a departure from the culture of violent reactions, the country absorbed the ruling and later proceeded with business as usual. Perhaps the most amazing picture of the post ICC ruling is captured in the first few minutes soon after Judge Ekaterina TRENDAFILOVA concluded the ruling summary. People from different parts of the country spoke in near-unison, urging fellow Kenyans to observe peace above everything else. No violence erupted in any part of the country, even in the home towns of the confirmed individuals. Some of their constituents expressed disappointment though, but choosing to tone down their resentments and overall opting to leave it to the justice system. The Police played a crucial role as they closely watched, ready to avert any acts of violence.

“I have learnt never to follow politicians again”, said a man on the streets of Nairobi. “I do not wish to see what happened in 2007/2008 happen again”, a victim of the post election violence said. Religious leaders equally came out to call on Kenyans to accept the results, however painful some may find them. President Mwai Kibaki asked the country to maintain peace, promising that all Internally Displaced Persons will eventually be settled. He also directed the Attorney General to set up a legal team to study the ruling.

Impact on Kenya’s Economy

Several economic experts who have been monitoring the impact of the Kenyan ICC case have indicated that the immediate post ruling signs point to a non-interrupted business environment in Kenya. Their observations are founded on the fact that Kenyans have already gotten back to business as usual, and the situation is not likely to change because if there was anything worse it should have happened on the day the ruling was read. But the analysts have also pointed out that some overly cautious investors may decide to adopt a wait and see attitude, just to see how the politics surrounding the case will play out in the coming days.

All in all, Kenyans must be congratulated for having chosen to walk the path of peace. Kenya should be proud that the citizenry is finally realizing that respect for human life must always supersede emotions and individual interests. But this is just the beginning, and as most peace minded Kenyans have pointed out, a resolve to sustain this thinking should reverberate throughout the country even as it prepares for another test yet-the forthcoming general election.