Wednesday, 3 April 2013

WHY AND HOW MR GOVERNOR MUST ACT



                 To be elected governor is not that simplistic. It is an act of courage and scrutiny by the masses. It is a test for the elected. It is an expression of hope and confidence by the electorate. These and many other elements make the office of a governor more unique than other elective positions. The spirit carried by this office is that of "action". It is not a representative office. The man seating there has a defined duty to perform and make true the visions of the masses. This is the formula I think the Governor for Turkana County should adopt:

                    Avoid any miscalculation. Remember this, “an army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep". This saying should keep on knocking in your brains every day you perform your duties. Remember you are the founding governor. I must congratulate you for that. But this puts tonnes of hopes on you. The future of the county rests on every step you take. We the electorates (the army of sheep) believe in every 'order' emanating from your office. It is therefore of great interest to all that those 'orders' be orders of prosperity and victory. This calls for courage and selflessness. It requires progressive thinking. Avoid the urge to create barriers to block the exchange of ideas. Put this close to your heart, "No man is an Island. No man is endowed with everything. Man becomes complete by embracing incompleteness." This incompleteness is the driving force that man needs to learn from others. 

                   Adopt zoning method of growing local economies. Turkana County is unique in all aspects. It is criss-crossed by rivers. It is home to the largest desert lake in the world. It is a cradle of mankind....etc. These are the foundations over which the Turkana economy must be build. Let's not look outside. Everything is here. The needs of the people of Kalokol aren't the same as those of people of Kainuk. This is the basis of my theory. It is about responding to peoples' needs as they are and not as we think. For instance, Kalokol being a fish producing zone must have a fish processing plant(s). This isn't the same as Kainuk. Voila! That is what I mean by zoning method.

                   Cooperatives are the weapons of rural traders and producers. Think of that herder cruising the plains of Lokiriama. Think of that farmer along the river Kerio. These are the heroes you must walk and talk with. They have demonstrated the little they know. All they need is market for their produce. A solution for this? Embrace the spirit of cooperatives. Encourage these heroes to be in groups and form cooperatives or market welfare groups so as to ease marketing of their produce. Doing this will definitely offload the hopelessness of that goat trader who treks miles to the market only to be humiliated by a middle-man. Protect these heroes please.

                   The Lodwar Mikeka traders need a face lift. These traders are thirsty of business skills. They have already passed the first test - they are capable of producing high quality mikeka,vikapu,viondo...etc. The barrier before them is that of a good market. Just like that goat trader, they too face untold suffering in the hands of thieving middle-men. Any idea? Build a special market for these guys. They too must embrace the idea of forming cooperatives. Besides, signal your sheriffs to keep-off these mamas and wazees until that time when their businesses mature. Removing/suspending these taxes and fees from their backs is the needed oxygen to attract traders hence benefiting that mkeka-producer based in Kerio Division. Jump into action Mr. Governor.

                   Finally, link up with some of our local universities to help grow the agricultural sector. Encourage them to decentralize their extension services/research centers to those agriculturally rich zones of Turkana. This way, the average farmer will get the right information at his disposal. I believe those university guys will not turn down your request. They have all the information that our farmers need. Talk to them. 
                    TOGETHER IN THE SERVICE OF THE MASSES.


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