How did Kenya’s membership in the British Commonwealth affect foreign investment?

Jomo Kenyatta’s decision to establish the Kenyan republic within the British Commonwealth played a significant role in shaping the country's economic landscape. By maintaining a clear Western alignment during the Cold War, Kenyatta’s government fostered a climate favorable to foreign interests.1

As a result of this pro-Western foreign policy, the capitalist international community invested heavily in developing Kenya’s infrastructure. Kenyatta further encouraged this growth by rejecting socialist nationalization in favor of a free-market approach, which he termed "Harambee," or "pulling together". These policies contributed to Kenya becoming one of the most economically dynamic and stable nations in Black Africa during the first two decades following its independence.12