We are a great country endowed with beauty, from the beautiful beaches to the snow peaked mountains. We are endowed with every climatic region, from hot desert to rain forests. We are endowed with diversity, 42 plus communities, each with its unique tradition and beliefs.

We are also a warm country welcoming to visitors from the Chinese, to Indians, to Persians, to Arabs, to Nubians, to Britons, to Germans, to Portuguese and all our regional neighbours. Kenya is an addictive country, once you are here, particularly as a foreigner, you do not want to leave. Even some ambassadors want to stay after the end of their duty.

What really attracts foreigners to Kenya, apart from physical beauty, great weather and welcoming people? We are interested not in occasional visitors but those who come and make Kenya their home.

We must quickly add that we are often more welcoming to foreigners than fellow Kenyans. Probably we fear each other, because we rarely interact, thanks to quota system in schools that ensures kids stick to their counties. The tribal clashes and post election violence put fear in lots of Kenyans; they now seek security in their communities, even in urban areas.

The first attraction is weather; if you ever lived through a winter, you know the great weather we have in this country, an endless summer. I’m amazed when I see Kenyans wearing leather jackets because of cold. Our weather is great particularly for the elderly. We have always argued that Kenya should have a special visa for over 65 year olds and pensioners to come and live here. That would be a source of demand for our goods and services. Ecuador has such a visa.

Our warmth is real, when Kenyans smile to you, they mean it, and it is from the depth of their heart. It is one of the few places where you can join total strangers and buy each other beer. Forget the politicians’ noise; ordinary Kenyans are very peaceful and friendly, irrespective of their tribe. No wonder there are lots of intermarriages. The number of mixed race couples in Kenya lately show that this warmth is being consummated.

The other attraction is economic and perhaps the main one. Outsiders find it very easy to make money in Kenya. We encourage them with incentives like tax breaks. Once they make money, our warmth keeps them here. Outsiders make money because too many of us believe that things in Kenya can only get worse. The few who believe in the future of this country make lots of money, without competition. The vitriolic talk from politicians and publicising of negatives has left many Kenyans pessimistic.

National parks

In addition to Kenyan warmth, there are great facilities for foreigners, from 5 star hotels to lodges in the national parks. If you got money in Kenya, you can live a life envied by the richest people from the developed countries. I do not recall finding lodges in American national parks.

The other attraction is surprisingly ‘disorder’. There is too much order in developed countries; every aspect of your life is controlled. In Kenya, some disorder makes life exciting. You can break traffic rules and haggle with the traffic officer. You can get into a crowded matatu and nobody cares. You can marry a second wife and not go to jail. You can sell second hand products as new. You can jump queues and get away with it. These small things though frowned upon are fun to many people.

The other attraction is freedom. Rarely does anyone bother you in Kenya; you can do your own things without worrying about the secret police and other intruders. Some say, this makes the country friendly to criminals particularly white collar. This freedom has been enhanced by the 2010 Constitution through the Bill of rights, so much that you can picket and demonstrate, sometimes for entertainment purposes without a cause. It is another question if this freedom is exercised with responsibility.

Foreigners are attracted by Kenya’s ‘freeze in time’. It is one country where you can find some communities living as they did hundreds of years ago. To foreigners that is exotic and fascinating. Few places on Earth still exist as they were on creation day. Getting into a Masai Manyatta or attending a ngurario or terro buru is real fun to outsiders.

The last attraction is dynamism and innovations. Have you noted that there is always something exciting happening in Kenya beyond politics? There is rarely a dull moment in Kenya. If there is no M-Pesa, there is someone developing a rival to Uber or someone selling quail, chameleons, carrying 14 passengers in a Probox, visiting Loliondo in TZ for AIDS cure, judges taking each other to court or MCAs fighting.

There could be other attractions like family ties, research opportunities or just curiosity to see where Barack Obama’s father came from. And one of the recent attractions is dual citizenship. Let us hear from you...

Will it always be this way? The Kenyan pot is melting and Kenya will continue attracting many nationalities. They will enrich our cultural diversity and mute the tribal sentiments and rivalries and catalyse economic growth with resulting peace and their ingenuity.

Suppose we had a president who does not come from any of the mainstream tribes, say a Kenyan of British or Indian extraction? By 2050 AD or earlier Kenya might resemble USA, with many nationalities making it their home.

— The writer is senior lecturer, University of Nairobi. [email protected]