Various contributions at the Kinoru meeting were explicit on the state of coffee and other agricultural sub-sectors. But knowing it is arguably the easy part. The acid test is on the what to do about it. Before going into possible actions or options, it is useful to brutally remind oneself of our current and future dire straits. Kenya has experienced over 10 years of negligible or negative economic growth.
Negative growth is overwhelmingly the case when considered against population growth.
Per capita income has declined consistently year after year. On average, the majority of Kenyans have become poorer and poorer with over half the population below the poverty line. Whatever mix of indicators you look at, the picture is universally depressing. An often useful barometer of confidence and sentiment, the Nairobi Stock Exchange, seems be hitting new lows rather regularly. Serious fresh investment, small or large, foreign or local, is rare.