The Samaritan Dilemma of the West: An Empirical Review of Past and Future Funding Prospects for Kenya

Abstract

Most African countries have a long history of funding from the West. Kenya's diminishing reliance on foreign aid due to increased mobilization of domestic resources and re–organization of the public expenditure policy has been remarkable. The increasing interest by the East, such as China and Japan indicate a shift in funding from West to East; nevertheless, the relationship between Kenya and its American and European bilateral donors remains favourable. The Reform implemented by the West and those by the East has seen a series of changing fortunes for the West culminating in to a donor – aid freeze to Kenya in 1992 and 1997 but the relationship between Kenya and the West still remains steadfast. This study employs an empirical review of core and non – core publications (1990- 2018) relevant to the study to identify the reasons behind the existence of the Samaritan dilemma while exploring its implications and sustainability. Study findings are consistent with the previous research that the Samaritan dilemma will continue due to the Samaritans' goal of self-preservation and self-gratification. More specifically though, is the position of Kenya as the regional economic hub and its strategic position in the fight against terrorism, not to mention though that stability of the surrounding Nations may reduce this preferential treatment with time. The position Kenya finds itself however is at crossroads, between shifting allegiances from the West, which have existed for long to the East, or not.