Industrialisation needs a national vision. Refineries, roads and energy infrastructure must fit into a clear plan for the country Kenya wants to become. Without that vision, and public trust that the benefits will be shared, development risks serving interests beyond the public.

Kenya moved away from building for itself. Trade liberalisation contributed to the decline of industries such as textiles, while countries like the US and South Korea used tariffs, subsidies and government investment to build their own industrial capacity.