TULLOW MUST STOP TOKENISM TO WIN THE TURKANAS

I have been thinking, trying to figure out how oil wealth can be used to empower a people, who prior to the discovery of this black gold, were (and are still) classified as marginalized. I have sought refuge in numbers - statistics and government hullabaloo - to decipher the right medication for these people. I have interrogated the interventions of those entrusted with the task of uplifting the masses. And I have come to understand that no matter the nobility of an action, a thought or an initiative, if it is not founded on principles, it will never be of value to the people. This is why.

The Turkana community, as in other Kenyan communities, is divided into two groups. There is that minor segment that wields power and claims to be the mouth piece of the people. Then there exists the larger mass – comprised of the illiterate cow herder and his family - that roams in the plains and valleys of Turkana County in search of water and pasture.

These groups are linked. The minority (but powerful) depends on the numbers of the illiterate mass to advance its self-serving interests. This portion is well-schooled and boasts of a firm economic and political base. The majority, on the other hand, have no alternative but to cling on the backs of their "brothers and sisters" so as to get the goodies of this world. But as we speak, things are not working in favour of the majority. They are still in the dark.

It is no news that Turkana County holds the tag of an ‘illiterate county’. Most of its residents have hardly stepped in school. In some parts of this vast county, schools are non-existent. Majority of the existing ones are fruits of labour and generosity of faith-based organizations. In some places schools must accompany learning with food rations to ‘retain kids in classes’.

Which begs the questions: Will Tullow Oil break up this cycle and liberate my people? Or will they resort to the easiest but dangerous route of enriching and supporting the small but powerful clique masquerading as peoples’ representatives? Do they understand the dynamics of the Turkana people?

I’m no pessimist. But I can’t allow my mind to tolerate a false thought that is detached from the reality. Turkana needs more primary and secondary schools. It needs more dispensaries and health clinics. It needs more water points and life skills. To run away from these is to negate the aspirations of the people. It is counter-productive and elitist.

Tullow Oil is getting it wrong. It has devoted much of its funds to sponsoring postgraduate students, majority of whom being non-residents of Turkana County, against the wishes of the majority. I think they have to be reminded before things get out of hand.

Those millions of shillings going to postgraduate students can better serve and win the hearts of the Turkana people in a different way. The people want their immediate demands responded to. They find it juicy and acceptable if those funds are used to build brand new primary and secondary schools across the county.

The Kenya government, Tullow Oil, local leaders and all other development stakeholders must debunk the myth that seeks to exclude the Turkana people from participating in matters development. There is this thinking that one can just walk into Turkanaland and do anything ‘because the people there are illiterate and know nothing’

Development initiatives should not be used as a tactic to win some and exclude the majority. Development is predicated on collective participation. They must seek to bring all on board and respond to the needs of the vulnerable. Anything out of this is not development. It is a ploy to weaken the people from within. It is mere tokenism that will never materialize. It will boomerang against its creators.

My advice is simple and clear: You can only win the hearts of the people of Turkana County by embracing them; with all their weaknesses and know-nothingness. Not through tokenism!

Twitter: @mlemukol.