Morara Kebaso Reveals Eye-Opening Lessons From China That Left Him Questioning Kenya’s Economy

Activist and politician Morara Kebaso has sparked fresh debate online after sharing observations from his recent visit to China, where he said several economic realities forced him to reflect deeply on the high cost of living and doing business in Kenya.

In a detailed comparison between Kenya and China, Kebaso pointed to major differences in transport costs, accommodation prices, and access to affordable credit, arguing that such gaps place Kenyan businesses and ordinary citizens at a serious disadvantage.

One of the issues that surprised him most was the cost of air travel. According to Kebaso, a one-and-a-half-hour flight from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam can cost between Ksh 40,000 and Ksh 50,000, while a flight from Nairobi to China lasting nearly 24 hours may cost only around Ksh 75,000.

He questioned how short regional flights within East Africa could cost almost the same as long international journeys across continents.

Kebaso also highlighted differences in hotel pricing. He claimed that a four-star hotel room in Kenya can cost approximately Ksh 20,000 per night, while a similar standard hotel in China may cost close to Ksh 5,000.

The activist argued that such comparisons raise difficult questions about Kenya’s competitiveness as a business and tourism destination.

However, it was the issue of lending rates that appeared to concern him the most. Kebaso noted that many Kenyan borrowers access loans at interest rates ranging between 18 and 22 percent, while businesses in China can reportedly borrow money at rates close to 3 percent.

He argued that such financial conditions make it extremely difficult for Kenyan manufacturers and entrepreneurs to compete fairly with companies operating in economies where access to capital is significantly cheaper.

“How can a Kenyan company compete globally when borrowing costs are this high?” he posed.

Kebaso suggested that unless structural economic challenges are addressed, Kenyan businesses will continue struggling against international competitors that operate under more favourable financial conditions.

His remarks have since generated widespread reactions online, with many Kenyans agreeing that the cost of credit, transport, and basic services remains one of the country’s biggest economic challenges.

Economists have often linked high business costs in Kenya to factors such as taxation, energy prices, infrastructure expenses, inflation, and financial risk within the lending sector.