Political activist and outspoken commentator Morara Kebaso has ignited widespread debate online after questioning why basic costs in Kenya appear significantly higher than in China despite the Asian giant being one of the world’s largest economies.
In a strongly worded social media post that quickly went viral, Kebaso compared the cost of flights, accommodation and borrowing between Kenya and China, asking what he described as difficult but necessary economic questions.
“Some things will take me forever to understand,” Kebaso wrote.
“Why does a one-and-a-half-hour flight from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam cost Sh40,000 to Sh50,000 yet a 24-hour flight from Nairobi to China is Sh75,000? What exactly is going on?”
The activist also questioned accommodation prices in Kenya, arguing that four-star hotels locally charge significantly more than similar establishments in China.
“Why does accommodation for one night at a four-star hotel in Kenya cost Sh20,000 yet in China a four-star hotel is Sh5,000 per night?” he posed.
Kebaso went further to criticize Kenya’s lending environment, particularly the high interest rates faced by businesses and borrowers.
“Why do borrowers in Kenya pay an interest rate of 18% to 22% for loans yet in China the interest rate is 3%?” he asked.
“How will a Kenyan company borrowing to expand its manufacturing technology or equipment compete with a Chinese company borrowing one billion dollars at 3%?”
His remarks immediately sparked intense reactions online, with many Kenyans agreeing that the country’s cost of doing business has become unsustainably high.
Others argued that the concerns highlighted deeper structural problems within Kenya’s economy, including taxation, inflation, fuel costs and the high cost of credit.
Some pointed out that while China heavily subsidizes key sectors such as manufacturing, transport and infrastructure, Kenyan businesses often operate in a highly taxed and expensive environment.
Economists have previously warned that high commercial lending rates in Kenya make it difficult for industries to compete globally, especially against countries with lower borrowing costs.
Manufacturers in Kenya have repeatedly cited electricity prices, taxes, logistics and financing as major barriers to growth.
It is not uncommon for flights within East Africa to cost nearly as much as long-haul international journeys, a reality that has frustrated travelers and businesspeople for years.
Hotel pricing became another major point of discussion following Kebaso’s remarks.
Some users defended Kenyan hotel rates, arguing that operational costs including electricity, staffing, taxes and imported goods make hospitality expensive.
The viral post has since reopened broader conversations about Kenya’s economic competitiveness and whether the country is creating a conducive environment for investment and industrial growth.
Over the past year, concerns over fuel prices, food inflation and loan accessibility have dominated public discourse both online and offline.
