Too much of aid is poisonous. It kills a people. It reduces them into objects of ridicule - objects to be "sold" to well-wishers to secure help. Aid that imparts not critical thinking on a people is nothing but an expression of slavery. This, I think, is what has contributed to the slumber in northern Kenya.
It is no secret that after fifty years of independence northern Kenya and other arid lands are still ranked poorly on matters development. The populace and politicians craving for popularity will blame it on government negligence. But I think there is more in this story than meets the eye.
Millions of N.G.O dollars have been poured into these lands. In "normal" situations these "blessings" would flow to empower the masses. But a cursory look on the ground will force you to ask hard questions. Are N.G.O dollars really destined to fighting poverty? What are the priorities of these guys? Should the masses question the philosophy of N.G.O operations in northern Kenya?
A look at the brochures and "guide books" of most of the N.G.Os operating in northern Kenya will tell you that their core duty is to empower the masses. That their intervention is pushed by the urge to give energy to those without and to make them "stand on their own".
"Stand on their own" is no mean talk. It is the philosophy that oils the pockets of most of these N.G.Os. Unfortunately, their actions negate the very ideals over which they are founded. They insist on feeding the masses instead of teaching them how to fend on their own. Their symbols of "development" are pot-bellied clerks chauffeured in expensive vehicles interviewing old illiterate women in rural out posts.
It is time we ask these N.G.O guys to explain to the masses what they have done with those millions of dollars.
They better declare openly to the masses that theirs is multi-million dollar business destined to fatten a few connected guys than fool the populace that they are there to liberate them from poverty.
If they want to fight poverty they MUST be ready to "energize the masses and let them stand on their own". Watch this space.
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