Confront Politicians Before They Rock Our Children's Education

The greatest enemy of progress is s/he who thinks education should not reach all, and if - by chance - it flows to those in need, it must be channeled in a manner that shakes not the chains of oppression and poverty. This enemy believes education is not a right and (it) should be doled out to those who 'fit the bill'.

While it is a reality (even for numskulls) that education remains the only way out of the mental and material poverty that still condemns my people to endless bouts of violence and destruction, some mis/leaders out there want to force us to believe that their narrow interests and one-sided politicking should out-compete the needs of Wananchi.

These mis/leaders know something most of us don't know. They have mastered the art of profiting from the illiteracy and mental hollowness of the people. They know their (political) survival is built on the school-lessness of their folk. 

Mark you; they are determined to maintain this status quo through outright neglect of the biting need of building new schools and/or supporting the few existing ones. 

In cases outside their control, they have moved ahead to badmouth the good intentions of those pushing for provision of education. Unfortunately, the very same education-thirsty Mwananchi has been roped in to throw stones at teachers and to pull down classrooms that house their children. A clear indication that we have a long way to go to liberate this type of citizen from the mental prison blurring his vision.

For these wayward politicians, their ignorance-founded political real-estate must be protected from all infiltration whatsoever. This is why our children's education gives them sleepless nights. 

Those of us from nomadic backgrounds know this animal exists and still straddles the terrain up there unchallenged. We have chosen to mind our own business and 'let the equation solve itself' for two solid reasons.

One, because our children are not directly affected by this hollow-minded political philosophy and two, because we are beneficiaries of our people's sufferance.

But one thing comes out clearly: The free reign of political meddling in education matters in Turkana will not take us anywhere. It will mar our efforts to uplift this community. There is no way hitherto cooperative community members can rise up one day and close down a school and (literally) chase teachers and pupils away. 

There is no reason to believe that differences can only be resolved through raw power and headless political posturing. We must stand against this evil. 

Politics that is not informed by the real issues affecting citizens is politics of slavery, not empowerment. 

No. We refuse. People come first. Education is the way. Teachers know where this way leads us.

Personally, I feel the pain of those kids somewhere in Turkana whose education was cut short because a local politico found it fit to pick their school as the battle ground to prove his good-for-nothing political muscle.

Turkana needs more committed teachers. Such teachers need our collective support to out-maneuver the political wave that feels threatened by expanded schooling targeting a huge segment of marginalised Turkanas.

Good people, we must confront these greedy politicians before they rock our children's education - and future.

Turkana County teachers need more than just verbal support.

Lemukol Ng'asike is an architect. Email:  lemoseh89@gmail.com. Twitter:  @mlemukol.  

Inside Lodwar's Annual Cultural Bonanza

Turkana dancers on stage

Evidently, devolution, and by extension, individual county governments should be credited for catapulting hitherto rural communities to the higher echelons of national development.  

In a country where "development" was inseparable from political correctness, "voting weight", and/or geographical reasons, it is very important to note the impact devolution has made so far and the urgent need to thwart any attempts to reverse this people-friendly process.

While it is increasingly becoming acceptable to judge the performance of county governments by the number of movable or immovable goodies, namely, ambulances, hospital equipment, schools, dispensaries, rural access roads, and so on, I choose to veer off this road and focus on the unseen benefits of devolution.

One such milestone is cultural appreciation and promotion.

Admittedly, it takes much effort to convince a government entity in Kenya to support something to do with culture. One pertinent reason is the often suppressed truth we all know. Investing in culture brings minimal political returns. You see, it takes the presence of a big shiny government building, for instance, for the populace to stomach any talk about “development”.

Belief on "visible development" is our greatest undoing. This, I believe, is one of the areas clear-minded county government chiefs must tackle.

And this is why I am happy when I see a county like Turkana setting up frameworks to institutionalize culture, not only as people's heritage, but as a resource that should be used to fight poverty, promote appreciation of education and diversity.

As I write this, the Turkana County Government is finalizing plans to hold its second annual cultural bonanza in Lodwar this August.

Dubbed “Tobong'u Loree” (loosely translated as "Come Back Home"), this step is inspired by what may be described as a need to tap into the immaterial resource of the people. Its proponents have added another line: that this annual event is geared towards reliving people's cultures in a manner that degrades any elements of self-hate.

I agree. Many poor communities in Kenya need to debunk that false belief among our "modern compatriots" that to maintain your culture or being "traditional" is to court poverty or desperation.  

Though, I find it a noble idea, I still would like to point out that any action relating to culture should look for a middle ground between gains for the owners of culture - in this case communities - and how these gains can be generated. 

It behooves to say that at this time and age when technology is king and whoever exploits it stands tall above his competitors, expecting culture enthusiasts to physically attend your dances, traditional shows or those things we bandy around as our cultural heritage, is self-defeating.

This is why I must point out the shortcomings of organisers of Lodwar's cultural event. Culture is like any other brand that depends on publicity for its profitability to materialize. The gem, as tourism experts affirm, rests with availing well processed ready-to-swallow information to your target audience.

Which provokes some questions: For a county blessed with picturesque landscapes ideal for filming and photo-shooting, hot springs and oases, wildlife, the only desert lake in the world, a people with undiluted cultural touch etc, why do authorities still find it hard to make a bold appearance in the online platforms and showcase to the "other world" that there is, indeed, something sweet in Turkana?

What does it tell of our preparedness and vision that a month to the D-day little has been done to market this publicly funded cultural event? Or are authorities affirming that this is just another village event premised on a need to cool down our folks and cover up official inadequacies?

This is what I think: A noble idea loses its weight the moment its execution is mired in shortsightedness and unclear-mindedness.

I am afraid Lodwar's Annual Cultural Bonanza is one such idea.

It is my hope that the Turkana County Governor will see it wise to fix the small hiccups that may render this people-centered initiative fruitless. It is time we acknowledged our limitations and seek ways of remedying them.

At the end of the day, the people must get value for their wealth.

Turkana hut

The "little wonders" of Lake Turkana

Northern Island - Lake Turkana

Eliye springs - Lake Turkana

A man admires an artist's impression of Turkana Boy - a nearly complete skeleton of hominid who died in the early Pleistocene.

Photos credit: Eloto Williams.

Lemukol Nga'sike is an architect. Email:  lemoseh89@gmail.com. Twitter:  @mlemukol.  

Hon. Lomenen's Diatribe Won't Develop Turkana South

It was Paulo Freire - that great mind from Brazil and a long time champion of inclusive growth - who rightly observed that you need not belabour to look for a fertile ground for oppression, mental darkness and zero development than examining the contradictions of a given society, community or a nation. 

For a fact I am more inclined to the thinking that only a solid education can empower people. And that any person, entity or officialdom that denies peoples an education deserves condemnation of the highest degree.

Any person who purports to be speaking for Wananchi while negating the centrality of education is not a leader and merits not to be accorded any decoration of a leader. I hold this truth closer to my heart for I know the damage denial of education has caused to my people.

I know why poverty still rules Turkana and why - fifty-two years after independence - Kenyans over there have to depend on food rations to survive.

If the hollow noises there are anything to go by, I have no doubt in my mind that my land is leaderless. We have joyriders in place of leaders.

The other day it came to my notice that a Member of Parliament, a Mr. James Lomenen of Turkana South, is leading a crusade against a teacher in one of the many classless schools dotting this vast constituency for 'embarrassing the community and mobilizing people (on social media) to build the said school.'

According to the MP, the community deserves to live in 'dignity' only if its challenges are never revealed. That seeking support from well meaning individuals to build a school for a school-less population is akin to ruining the good image of the people!

The MP is on record to have sought the intervention of local Education officials to 'punish the said teacher for believing that he can do much without his (MP) blessings'.

Looked at closely, this political diatribe boils down to two fundamental points: 1) That a leadership that does not value the electorates will make sure any step geared at enlightening citizens is demolished; and 2) development is still a one-man show notwithstanding constitutional requirements on public participation.

It's sad that a project initiated by poor villagers with the help of a selfless teacher to put up a school for their children is fought by a man who controls a budget for local development and worse still, has nothing to show for the millions of shillings under his control.

Many of us who have been in Turkana will automatically salute these villagers for their vision. It's a rare occurrence among a people ravaged by poverty and isolation to insist on building a school for their children. This - to a greater extent - ushers in the death of political fortifications based on illiteracy and burdens of the people.

But should we rejoice when politicians who believe it’s their divine role to shortchange dreams of their electorates still control all the levers of governance? 

Clearly, to lean back and fold our hands is not the way. Such myopic political philosophies are grounded in our fear to confront its architects. We legitimize injustices every time we resort to indifference as our tool of choice.

If poor children’s dream of getting an education is not enough to stimulate the rage within us, I don’t know what will.

The people of Turkana South Constituency deserve respect. That selfless teacher deserves our collective protection.

We refuse to stomach the lie making rounds out there that Hon. James Lomenen’s ‘bravery’ is what will lift Turkana South up socio-econo-political scales.

He has failed to prove his bravery by defending the rights of children of Kootoro Mixed Primary School to a decent education. Let him prove us wrong by building this school before his term expires in 2017.

Truth is our refuge!

Lemukol Ng’asike is an architect. Email:  lemoseh89@gmail.com  . Twitter: @mlemukol. 

One of the makeshift structures constructed by Kootoro Villagers that serves as a classroom

Architectural impression of the proposed Kootoro Mixed Primary School

Turkana County 2015/16 Budget Is Good - But Shallow

Eliye Springs on the shores of Lake Turkana. Photo CREDIT: @KResearcher (Twitter)

Kenya's Budget season is here. Politicians, bureaucrats and citizens are busy cobbling figures and drawing up development plans. Unlike before, this process is now 'owned' by the people thanks to the dictates of our new Constitution. 

Allow me not to go into the technicalities of budget making. Budget making in Kenya has - since independence - proven to be hollow and escapist. 

The fact that a significant proportion of our population - more so those residing in rural areas - have little knowledge about budgets and the contents therein is enough to push us to review our public engagement frameworks and policies.

This is partly because the populace lacks the necessary intellectual tools to question the contents of these crucial policy documents. Again, there is an entrenched notion especially among public figures that budget process must look 'complex and modern'. That simplifying the whole thing - in order to reach men and women out there - robs it of its impact and pomposity. 

In my understanding, those charged with duties of overseeing budget processes have not moved away from hitherto ritualistic touch that symbolized the political stranglehold on public purse. They are yet to internalize the fundamentals of our Constitution. 

A policy document that is too complex for the common people - the real owners of budgets - to interrogate is not destined to benefit them. 

I have gone through the Turkana County 2015/16 Budget Statement. From the face value, the document looks good and seems to be responding to the needs and aspirations of the people of Turkana County.

However, a closer look of its contents reveals the paucity of creativity and fear of trying unconventional ways that (continue to) bedevil our officialdoms - stretching from the center in Nairobi to the peripheries in the counties.

Personally, I have a problem with people who underestimate the economic potential of marginalized groups (the poor, women, youth, the aged, persons with disabilities etc).

These groups need no sympathy. They need recognition that given opportunities, they too can contribute immensely to the economy. 

And this is where my county scores zero points. We miss the target the moment we base our budgeting on generalities. In my view the advent of devolution was meant to usher in a point-by-point way of dealing with public matters. 

The false premise that only 'external investors' will power economy and improve the living standards of our people must be debunked. Even the fish mongers of Lake Turkana and the herders of Lokori are equally important.

Lodwar needs a modern market. A town whose traders spread their merchandise in roofless markets is the epitome of a leadership that is disconnected from the people.

Free goodies have never empowered man. There's a way we can tap the energies of the people of Turkana. They can be roped in as partners in environment conservation.

The millions of shillings put aside for tree planting would have a greater impact if say, persons with disabilities and women are advised to form 'conservation groups' and given the opportunity to lead the tree planting campaign.

An illiterate county such as Turkana (by the way two-thirds of folks here are classified as illiterate) would be expected to be more flexible in its undertakings and (also) ready to simplify matters. 

Take the case of public education. There is a greater need to contextualize empowerment programs to suit the needs of the many illiterate people dotting our rural outposts. This explains why barefoot colleges come in handy. Turkana needs many of these.

Finally, the county government of Turkana must discard the belief that education is a national government function and so devolved units have no business meddling in it. Though this is anchored in law, we know very well the apathetic nature of our national government. 

The truth is: Turkana schools will never be built by our Nairobi-based bureaucracy. Governor Nanok must seize the moment and prove that he is indeed grounded in the needs of the people of Turkana, national bureaucratic bottlenecks notwithstanding. 

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Perhaps, it's time he started with roofless, classless Kootoro Primary School in Lokichar Division!

Lemukol Ng'asike is an architect. Email:  lemoseh89@gmail.com. Twitter:  @mlemukol.  

Oil Dollars Alone Will Never Uplift My People

Turkana Girls Photo Credit: Eloto William

Contrary to popular beliefs, oil revenue is not an economic finality in itself. No lasting empowerment emanates from reliance on oil revenues and scramble for scarce oil jobs. 

In economic terms, benefits rest not with this black gold but with its accompaniments. Real benefits are created by - us - who live around oil wells. 

How can Turkana County - with her oil wealth, virgin economy and a robust (yet idle) youthful population - still continue to bank her hopes on hollow assertions propagated by those who think oil exploration companies have a divine duty to "employ and/or economically uplift locals (whatever that means)"?

I have spent a significant portion of time examining oil politics in Turkana. The excitement that greeted the oil discovery some years ago is slowly fading away. The people - it seems - had been made to believe that the economic fruits of oil would start to fall “immediately” the discovery was made.

This change of heart raises three solid points. 1) Structured communication targeting locals vis-a-vis oil benefits is needed. 2) It is incumbent upon (political) leaders to stick to facts and avoid giving a false impression that oil dollar is the magic bullet that will lift Turkana - and by extension, Kenya - up socio-economically. 3) Only through inclusive initiatives and strategies can locals scoop their fair share of the oil dollars.

Clearly, such misguided reasoning deserves questioning in order to reveal the shortcomings of its proponents. Calls for employment of locals neighbouring oil exploration sites are by all standards good.

The challenge, however, is inherently with the minds leading this campaign. The Turkana oil find has brought to the fore the intellectual emptiness of our leadership and the naked lie that is often projected through noble initiatives. They say they are championing for people's interests though there's nothing to show for this "advocacy".

They say they are the link between oil companies and the people even when evidence demonstrates something else. They are the link between their stomachs and those feeding them!

They want us to believe they have what it takes to articulate and follow up people's concerns but their disjointed action betrays them.

With these ingredients solidly embedded within this bunch of noisemakers, isn't it unwise to persecute oil companies for sins that are not of their making? 

How do we expect the masses out there - having swallowed this lie - to successfully sieve through the opportunities accompanying oil extraction minus our help – and guidance?

It's high time my people internalised this truth: Tullow Oil Plc or any other oil company operating in Turkana is not the cure of Turkana’s poverty. The answer is squarely inked in our brains. It flows from education of the people. It's hinged on leaders' admission of the inefficiencies of handouts.

This cure is grounded in our capacity to rope in village Mama Mbogas (small scale traders), school leavers, herders etc and drill into their heads a new bundle of thoughts. 

The fact that this caliber of people dotting our villages has proved to possess a progressive mindset is enough to move all of us to action. Post-industrial revolution Europe was not a product of an apathetic officialdom. It was powered by the "small people" we have relegated to the dustbins of our reasoning.

Partnership between oil companies, other development partners and our leaders will win the hearts of many if it deviates from a paternalistic way of engagement and instead entrench empowerment programs in communities.

Village people do not demand much. They want barefoot colleges, polytechnics and incubation centers.

We must think differently if we really want to see different - and positive - results.

Lemukol Ng’asike is an Architect. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com . Twitter: @mlemukol.