9. Agricultural and Rural Development in Malaysia and Kenya and the Politics of Policy

Abstract

Malaysia and Kenya offer interesting case studies for an examination of the impact of the politics of policy on agricultural and rural development programmes. By the end of the 1960s, the World Bank economic reports commented positively about Kenya's remarkable achievements and held it up as a model for African nations. In the immediate post-independence period, the economic growth rates achieved by both states were much closer, but from the mid-1970s onwards there is a clear divergence in development trajectory and economic growth. Malaysia moved ahead more rapidly to achieve significantly higher and sustained growth rates, while Kenya fell behind. This chapter examines the politics of policy in agricultural and rural development in Malaysia and Kenya in a comparative context to assess their impact on policy outcomes. It also provides a general overview of the economic trajectories of Malaysia and Kenya, with emphasis on agricultural and rural development. Keywords: agricultural development programme; Kenya; Malaysia; politics of policy; rural development programme; World Bank economic reports