By Billy Mijungu
I like writing about the economy with the hope that one day it will stick that we have leaned more capitalist than social, yet what we truly need is a balance of both. Growth matters, yes, but growth without people at the center loses meaning.
Over time, even our social sectors have slowly been turned into money-making ventures. Programs that should exist to solve problems are now expected to generate returns. In doing so, we drift away from the real purpose of development. We end up speaking about human development, but not fully committing to it.
We can build good roads, modern houses, reliable energy systems, and impressive airports. These are important and necessary. Anyone can even build a twelve-bedroom home and call it success. But the deeper question remains: are we truly better off? Are people living with dignity, peace, and satisfaction?
Proverbs 21:9 captures this idea well, that it is better to live simply with peace than in a large house filled with conflict. Development must be centered on people. Without that, even the most visible progress feels empty.
Take housing as an example. It should first be about providing shelter and dignity, not just about markets and returns. The same thinking should apply to taxation. When taxes become too heavy, they strain individuals and businesses. A more balanced, lower tax environment can actually encourage productivity, support growth, and in the long run make it easier for a country to meet its obligations, including debt.
What many people desire is not just visible development, but a better quality of life. Leadership, therefore, should not only focus on how many projects are delivered, but also on how people feel and live. A nation can have modern infrastructure and still struggle if its people are burdened by high costs of living, unemployment, and limited opportunity.
There is a real risk in celebrating what is seen while ignoring what is felt. Roads and bridges may stand tall, but if they exist alongside poverty and street families, then something is missing. That gap between appearance and reality is where true failure lies.
In the end, development should be about humanity. It should be about creating a society where progress is not just visible, but also meaningful. A country succeeds when its people feel it, not just when they see it.
