Another Christmas in the UK

Another 2 weeks in the UK has passed. This time much less eventful than 12 months ago when getting COVID disrupted our trip. Now one would not even know such a thing ever existed. There are still a few signs lying around in restaurants that need to be taken down, and there was the odd person that I saw over the two weeks wearing a mask (including some flight crew); but other than that, there was no need to always book everything in advance or even show a vaccination certificate when coming into the UK (Kenya does want to see that though).

Of course there was another inconvenience, which is that of various workers being on strike. We had to change the odd plan or two to meet people who feared they might not get trains back home, but mostly we were driving which was not affected. The weather is also an inconvenience in the Winter in the UK. I missed the snow (Andrea and the kids got some as they arrived earlier than I), but did get enough dry days to go running every other day on average, and took the dog for a walk most days - even going to some new places, which was nice. And with the kids walking as well, without complaining, which was even nicer!

Apart from all the usual family stuff (including spending time with an Uncle who's recovering from some leg issues, and a father with some other leg issues) we took the kids trampolining, ice skating, and to watch some Pantomimes. I had some fun driving some supercars as a present, watching an "immersive experience" of the Peaky Blinders, and failing to escape from an Escape Room. Christmas of course meant presents, chief of which were clothes, games, toys and a computer console. It had been quite a performance buying the gifts in Kenya with multiple trips to markets, including one that was held at the school with items costing no more than a few dollars which the kids could go to and buy things for their parents (who gave them money, but were not at the market).

It is wonderful to spend time with the family, especially as our kids grow up alongside my sister's two kids (though several years behind). We certainly overdid the Amazon buying, the food eating, and even sleeping in some days. But isn't that what the holidays are for?

Now, back to unpacking, cleaning, and enjoying thirty degrees sunshine at lunchtimes and weekends!

Work at the end of 2022 and into 2023

The end of 2022 became quite hectic, even without too many overseas business trips (though there was one planned that was cancelled last minute). Finally the Ministers and Deputy Ministers were selected, vetted and sworn in; and finally Parliament managed to sort out its various positions and Committees. So by November a lot was happening and needed to happen before the end of the year.

We had a few big events that all fell within a couple of weeks, and on the whole went very well, which was a relief. There were also some smaller ones, including a visit to the Western-most Town in Kenya in Busia County, on Lake Victoria opposite Uganda, for the Isambo Carnival. It is always nice to see new places, especially in the countryside and when there are some cultural activities taking place. In this case, aside from watching the boat racing and the hill running, there was also a more typical session of speeches. 

Technology has been a key theme of the new government, with the first public holiday themed around technology and innovation, and a lot of talk in that space, which is great. Another key theme has been the cost of living issues that have affected most of the World, but particularly many developing countries. Kenya may not have been as badly hit as other places, but the cost of some basic commodities, even those produced locally, has gone up, and the high interest rates are affecting the government's finances. The prices of some began to decline towards the end of the year, or at least stop increasing much; this might only be a temporary respite as some predictions are for worse in 2023 with China's economy growing again after it opens up, and the war in Ukraine continuing.

The government has begun to make a lot of personnel changes, as is expected, and as is its right. There have been some reforms especially around the judicial and policing systems. It has also talked a lot about action and is raising expectations, maybe beyond what it can realistically achieve, with the tough fiscal environment and external economic (and environmental, the drought has had a real impact) situation. The highly anticipated fund to support entrepreneurs became a 14-day overdraft facility, which may still be of some use (though there were other similar products available at not so dissimilar interest rates), but is not grants, nor is it significant loans that can be used for business creation. However, amongst the disappointed masses, the government has promised such products will come in the near future.

A concrete plan is being created, building on the original manifesto of the Party that won, so we will have to see what that looks like. The 2023-2024 government budget process is about to begin in earnest which will indicate where the priorities lie and give the new government a chance to really begin to implement their agenda (until now they are operating mostly on a budget put together by the previous government).

All of this does mean a lot of opportunities, a lot of work, and a lot of excitement as we begin 2023.