WANJIKU NEEDS A LITTLE "PUSH", NOT FLOWERY ENGLISH

                "Fighting for Wanjiku" is what defines the role of activists and civil society. Its spirit and meaning remain a myth and a theory yet to be unpacked. I doubt if Wanjiku really understands the true import of this statement. I hope not. But I think it is incumbent to cross-check the 'fights' fought by these "Wanjiku's fighters"  with the true needs and aspirations of Wanjiku. Do they go together? Do they lead to a common or shared interest? If they do, thank God, Wanjiku should rejoice.

                 I tend to think this way: Wanjiku is not interested in flowery English and court battles. She is burdened by the "minute" daily problems in her locality. She is working her way out of this hell of problems. She doesn't care whether Kenya is ruled by a woman,a man,a white or an african. What is of interest to her is how to solve her daily challenges. The language she understands better is that which resonates with her needs and aspirations. She doesn't know if some people are waging battles somewhere on her behalf. She is completely disconnected from this. Literally,she is on her own world.

                And this begs the questions; what are the true needs of Wanjiku? What is the rationale of remedying them? Should the world deal with Wanjiku directly or through proxies? Methinks Wanjiku is challenged by the health of her kith and kin. She aspires to see her children getting good education. She wants to sell her produce in peace and without intimidation. She is thirsty of knowledge - economically relevant skills. She is stressed by the danger posed to her health every time she welcomes a new life to this world. These and many others are what Wanjiku knows. Anything out of it is latin to her.

              Wanjiku is tired of dealing with proxies. She believes in herself and only needs a simple "push". The fact that she has fought all battles of life is a true testimony of her wisdom and vision. Contrary to popular believes and opinions she has come out stronger and determined. She now has the confidence to chart her own destiny. A case in point is that of a woman who delivers in a bush in a far-flung location. Despite this life threatening challenge she manages to get through,thanks to the art of survival. This is incredible. Look at that woman who treks every morning for miles to fetch water. These are heroins. They need not big offices in town. Their need? "Respond to our needs right here and now!" This is their philosophy.

               This therefore comes as a challenge to all of us; thinkers,students, scholars, community workers, governors, politicians,civil society etc to rethink the strategies we've used in the past in engaging with Wanjiku. Let's appreciate the fact that she (Wanjiku) understands herself better than the outside world does and that she needs a little "push" in terms of soft loans,  civic education, business skills to pull herself out of darkness and condemnation of poverty.

(Wanjiku stands for the common citizen,the hoi polloi; the man and woman  in slums,streets and villages)

TO BE BLACK IS NOT TO BE BEGGARLY

               All of us have diverse(if not different) understanding of poverty. Some believe poverty is 'godly way' of shaping up the human race - that God teaches us through suffering. Others know it as a problem of parentage - you are born poor so you remain poor. Still others know it as a theory of man to advance his goals - you call others poor to win them to your side,hence exploit them. And another group blames geography of its motherland for the spread of poverty.

                But I think poverty is both a manifestation of a failed system and a complete withdrawal of a people in their ways of living. Let me explain. Some streets of Rabat(Morocco) are known for the presence of beggars from Sub-Saharan Africa. The confidence displayed by these chaps is unrivaled. They have perfected the art of begging. Maybe this can be explained by the fact that they risk sleeping hungry if they don't go out begging. But again this leaves one with the question, why should one come and endure suffering in another man's land and leave the comfort of his home country? 

               To respond to that, lets get some wisdom from our ancient african stories. It is a story of Mr Hyena. Long time ago, there was an animal Kingdom. The animals lived in communities bonded by shared interests and visions. Life was good and all animals lived well and happily. But one time things changed. An event that defined the wisdom and wit of all meat-eating animals happened. There was a shortage of meat and animals had to trek to neighbouring kingdoms to fetch this precious commodity. Strong and focused animals survived but those that were lazy suffered and depended entirely on the remains left by the focused ones. 

               Mr Hyena fell into this category of animals. At one time, he was nicknamed Mr Simple because he need not tire himself to get what he wanted. He would always be on the look out  in order to benefit from the sweat and efforts of others. So one day the strong animals got tired of this and denied him any help. Now faced with challenges Mr Hyena decided to trek to neighbouring Kingdoms to look for the meat himself. But he lacked the knowledge of the exact  location where the meat was sold. He also didn't know the techniques to employ to charm the meat sellers. All these played to his disadvantage.....

               Back to our subject...It is foolhardy to blame others for our wrongs. Poverty is a manifestation of man's failures. It is a result of self-inflicted impotency. It is a fruit of the tree of despair and over-dependence on others. It is a product of man's social craftsmanship. This is what has led so many blacks to internalise the feeling that poverty is african and hence can be remedied by begging. Stop it! That is a fallacy of the highest degree.

               These chaps begging in Rabat are intelligent,energetic and strong. Their looks express hope but their thinking is the poisonous venom that is sinking them into the abyss of poverty and hopelessness. How I wish they understood the value of dying poor at home than having a full stomach by begging in a foreign land. Ooh God, help your people see the Light!

A SWIFT ACTION IS NEEDED TO REDEEM LODWAR TOWN

In urban development it is believed that places 'reflect' the habits and way of life of people living there. Their way of life is expressed by how they use their space and time. But for Lodwar, It seems the town isn't a reflection of the people living in it but rather a reflection of the failures of those charged with the responsibility of taking care of it. Lodwar Municipal Council is nothing but a disgrace. It is an embodiment of failure. An outfit that must be bundled and thrown into the sea. But I thank God this outfit is now past tense. The County Government of Turkana is now the sole entity to redeem the image of Lodwar town. But before we rejoice, let me offer some pieces of advice to the incoming team.

Fix the water problem. Talks of development are nothing if this problem persists. No humanity can survive without water. It is the petrol they need before taking-off to their duties of life. Lodwar is endowed with this commodity. The town is home to two rivers, Turkwel and Kawalathe. So scarcity of it (water) isn't an excuse. It is an admission of fault and irresponsibility. With an average temperature of  37° C, pumping this commodity to peoples' home is possible. Solar panels come in handy. Jump into action.

Build markets. It is disgraceful to talk of an old town, (home to an incarceration center for a founding president of the  Republic), without talking about the absence of markets and stalls. Fish and other perishable commodities are displayed in the open,in the scorching sun. Ironically,the municipal sheriffs religiously frequent here collecting "market fees" when markets are inexistent. Someone must learn how to deal with people. This is an outright insult on the tolerance and silence of the masses. We are waiting to see your intervention Mr. Governor!

Relocate the prison premises out of town. I know this is not within your power. All the same, I believe your voice has more weight on this issue than us the hoi polloi. Relocating the prison is not an act of ill will. It is just a response to growing demand for space within the town. No town survives without an open space, a garden or a forest-within-town. People need to connect with nature. They need to feel part of it. Likewise, the county government needs money to run its operations. Connecting these, I find it an ideal act to transform the prison grounds into a County Garden and get millions in revenues annually. How do you see that?

Make Lodwar a green town. This is possible. Put in place a policy that obliges every homestead to plant at-least one tree. Reward those who plant more. Penalize heavily those who cut trees.But please, don't take them to jail. Wait,I have an idea. Assign them two trees each to plant and take-care until maturity. Is it not workable? 

Finally, the 'streets' of Lodwar are nothing but paths of donkeys and camels. They don't fit to be called streets. A lot of work is needed to convert them into streets meant for vehicles and people. You can team up with Urban Roads Authority  and/or any other related entity to make this a reality. Besides, a bus park and taxi parks are highly needed. This is untapped revenue. Build a modern bus station and see how millions of shillings will be flowing into County accounts. That is the little I can contribute for the advancement of my people!

The writer is an architect. Twitter: @mlemukol. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com

COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT SERVICE DELIVERY, NOT A FARM TO HARVEST "JOBS"

                   Good governments don't distribute cash,they empower the masses to make cash on their own. This is cardinal role as to why governments exist. They are principally there to create an enabling environment for all to live and eke out a living. 

                   But it seems my people are missing the point. I did a background check by asking some of my friends on social media about their expectations now that elections are over and county governments have started shaping up. I noticed a common trend in all the submissions I received. Almost everybody was expecting to be absorbed in the public service in the county governments. All expressed optimism that they will grab a job here or there in the county public service.

                   This left me with a big question; were county governments formed to dish out  cash in the name of employment or to develop the people to be employers in their own capacities? To respond to this,I think, it is important to have a look at history of Public-State relations in Kenya. Development in Kenya since independence has largely been a preserve of the State through its various agencies. The public was a mere 'receiver' of the services of the State and not a 'participant'. There were no defined avenues for public-government interaction. This is evidenced by the fact that all corners of the Republic were treated as one entity sharing the same challenges and having the same needs. This was a complete negation of the fact that each segment of the Republic had its own challenges and needs.

                    This led to duplication of roles and to some instances rendering services that are not in agreement with the needs of the people on the ground. For instance, what is the need of sending a Fisheries Officer to Wajir when the main economic activity there is livestock farming? This is the reason why County Governments were formed. It is to respond to local needs and challenges. To provide an easy-to-reach entity for the locals. It is not about staffing a million men and women in offices. It is about creating opportunities for many. It is about encouraging the hoi polloi to be self-reliant.

                    Now that we have this in mind,it will be for the interest of all that the county team embarks on "dirtying their hands" in the service of all. The era of office-based workers is long gone. People should get out of offices and move out to the people. They should be ready to sleep in the cold to fulfill their mandate. They must be ready to listen to the man and woman in the village. Failure to which, the people will rise up. The power is with the people, not in the offices. 

OIL MONEY WILL ONLY DROP ON THINKING PERSONS

                There is a big difference between burying a rabbit and burying a mango seed. The seed will sprout up and give birth to a fruitful tree. A dead rabbit wouldn't. This is common knowledge. You only expect good harvests after planting good seeds. This applies to our lives. Unless persons work towards the realization of their hopes,those hopes will just be mere hopes. This is why hopefulness without action is a farce. Hopes to live well should be the petrol we need to power our bodies to think harder and work harder. 

                 This takes me to the big question; should we rejoice for the discovery of oil? To what extent will this resource benefit humanity living around it? Methinks to be resourceful but brainless is fatal. It is dangerous. This reminds me of my father's favorite statement; " I don't have cows to give you. Education is the only cow I can give you. No one will take it from you. Not even your kids. You will die with it(education)!" 

                 Resources are 'created' in the brains. Resourceful people do not invest in tall buildings first. They prioritize  education. Cosmetic development is the cause for suffering of populations. To develop 'cosmetically' is fighting food insecurity by distributing food rations to hunger stricken villagers instead of teaching them to be producers of food. Cosmetic development is when a population sings "oil money is our resource. We must be given it." God forbid. I think this is to miss the point. This is why I think so.

                 Development is the working of each man and woman. The nation doesn't develop the people,it is the people that develop the nation. A nation is a collection of all us. And this calls for thinking. It calls for clear analysis of facts and events. It calls for intelligence. Thus a rich brain will come in handy to actualize this. Oil should act as catalysts of development and not a factor of development. It should activate us to think outside the box. 

                 A rich brain will detect that with the discovery of oil,more people will move in to 'get their share' of the oil money. More people translates to more stomachs hence more mouths to feed. So an intelligent person wouldn't migrate to the oil fields. He will move to his farm and intensify his agricultural activities.  As you crowd around oil fields yawning, he will be comfortably pocketing good money. Cool money. This is thinking outside the box!

                Besides, a clever mind knows that selling ones efforts and expertise for few coins is  the worst form of slavery. This is what majority of us call salaried-jobs. It is incumbent to note that all employers are business-minded. Profits come before your plight for fair remuneration. So as you plan to crowd around oil fields in such of jobs, remember to think outside the box. This is the only way the oil money can drop on you.

THE TRUE IMAGE OF MAN IS HIS TOILET

                 A man's intelligentsia is judged by how he disposes off his 'dust'. That is what people in my native land say. They go further to add that there is no logic in blaming the toilet for the smell fuming out of it. All these statements point to one element; man's role in projecting himself. That man has no grounds to blame his environment for his faults. That responsibility lies squarely with man. That all actions originate from man's thinking. All happenings are manifestations of his thoughts. Man is inseparable from his actions.

             
                The moral here is that true reflections are done without coercion or external inspection. They boil from within and only come out when acted upon. Character is measured by what we do when we are alone. Not when our friends or seniors are around. Life is anchored on what we believe is right and that which we ought to do because our conscience demands us to. Not what is prescribed by law. Because respect of the law is nothing but ceding your moral grounding to a set of rules. It is for this reason that I find it awkward when men blame absence of laws for moral breakdown. I think this is self-defeating. We don't need laws in the first place. Laws are already anchored in our conscience. What we need to do is to respect the voice within us.Period.

                In the year 1630 in London, Robert Barker(a printer of the King James bible) wrongly printed copies of the Holy Bible omitting the word NOT in the "Thou shalt NOT commit adultery." Information leaked out to the 'faithful' about this new-found freedom. Celebrations were everywhere. People took this as a license to 'enjoy' themselves. It was a moment to do what the law 'dictated'.

                 

                For them,they had a 'justification'. That the Divine law gave them the 'lee-way' to do their acts. This sounded logical. But what is the import in this story? That there exists the spirit and the word of the law. The word is the external expression of the law on paper. The spirit is our conscience,the voice within us. Where the spirit  and the word of the law come into conflict, the trajectory taken by the spirit prevails. Committing adultery because 'the law legalized it' was a total negation of the spirit of the law. This is likened to blaming the toilet for emitting bad smell and not the true source of the smell. NOW IT IS UP TO YOU.Enjoy!  

HOW TO TURN NAPETET-LIKE NEIGHBORHOODS INTO BEACONS OF PROSPERITY

                  Congratulations Mr Governor for winning. I wish you the best of luck as you embark in the service of humanity. I believe you are aware of the aspirations of the man and the woman in the street. I have deep conviction that you are co-joined to their hopes and visions. 

                  The masses are waiting to see you hit the ground running. I'm one of them and this is what I expect you to prioritize. Poverty is the issue. Facing this monster needs creativity. Total commitment is the petrol you need to power the spirits of those you are going to work with in fighting this giant. 

                   It is incumbent to note that poverty is not caused by the poor. It is a manifestation of an unjust system. It is a product of wrong diagnosis. It is a result of negligence on the part of leading elite. Hopefully, all these are far away from you. It is therefore important to take advantage of this status and do wonders. This,I believe can be done. 

                   Lets take Napetet as a case study. This place can be mistaken for a prison or such-like places. No it isn't. It is a place like any other. Its peoples are able and intelligent just like any other.But what is the problem with them? This is what I will call diagnosis. It is what a sensible leader must do and get it right. Here people have everything that can be found on earth but lack one crucial thing. That is LIGHT. They have eyes but they are engulfed by darkness. Darkness of the mind has condemned them for years. They need total liberation from this darkness. You know what? It is not their fault. It is the fault of a vision-less leadership. A leadership that calls darkness light. Sitting back isn't the option on your table,Mr Governor. Thinking and acting is. Have a look at this:

         1. Construct a market right in the middle of this world. Those hardworking and visionary mamas are eagerly waiting to see this become a reality. They have suffered irreparable losses for long from the Lodwar scorching sun as their leaders cheer as if to approve their continued suffering.

         2. Provide tax breaks to small traders to allow them lay a strong business foundation. Do not allow the hunger to raise so much revenue override the need to offer conducive business environment to small-scale traders. 

         3. Create a special fund for those pursuing small business. Ideas are boiling out there but people lack one thing,funding. Fill this void and you will see wonders. Fruits of this will surpass the imaginations of many.

         4. Don't lock your door. Remember you are an extension of the hoi polloi. It is because we can not all fit in that office that we elected you to be there. Eat what your people eat. Sleep where they sleep. Walk with them. Talk with them. I wait for that moment when county conferences will be held in villages and community based lodges so as to boost their economies.

         5. Initiate information exchange programs.  Information is the key needed to unfold the potential of the masses. How I wish you use that successful old man or woman in the village to teach his/her fellows than pumping money to all-knowing-self-seeking-unproductive elite seated in Lodwar and its environs. They ought to be in prison for doing nothing to tackle poverty.  

              Parting shot: Thou shalt be judged by thou actions. Mothers,fathers,boys,girls,youths,everybody....are eagerly waiting to see your first step.MAY THE BLESSINGS AND POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY BE UPON YOU.         

Twitter: @mlemukol

 

THE AFRICAN WOMAN EMBODIES HOPE AND SUCCESS

                       They say,behind any successful man there is a great woman. I think it will also be right to state that in any successful venture there must be an African woman. Let me tell you why. To understand this assertion lets try to do a simple analysis of the African Life. 

                        From religious groupings to village associations, from local artisans to inter-community arbiters, from birth-attendants to funeral organizers......Women are everywhere.They are the pivotal segment in all these spheres. This might look simplistic. But believe you me, these 'small things' are the cornerstones of the african life. Their participation in all these 'small things' inspires many. This inspiration is the driving force for the day-to-day activities around us.

                        But how do they rise to embody hope and success? To conclusively respond to this question, it will be prudent to take a historical tour of the African woman. Just take a look. Do you remember those acts of discrimination meted on women? That a woman getting an education was against 'culture'. That 'traditionally' the place of a woman is the kitchen. That a woman must not move out of home unless under 'tight escort' of her younger brother who is under strict instruction to record any 'bizarre act'. That leadership positions were a preserve of men. All these acts were justified in the name of 'protecting the dignity'  of the woman and the community. But amidst all these the African woman managed to assert her position as a human being. She triumphed. This victory is pure. It is what gives credence to her roles. This is why they embody hope and success.

                        Again,they understand the art of association and oneness. African women are naturally focused. They are ready to learn and cooperate for their common good. In a group of ten welfare groupings/associations, at-least seven belong to women. This is a clear proof of their readiness to work together. From these associations, they get their daily bread. They school their children. They heal their sick. They bury  their dead! Having looked at this is it therefore right to say that the African woman isn't capable of leading?

                       The African woman is entrepreneurial in nature. Business is her DNA. She is in-complete without venturing into business. They are players in local economies. They sell everything. From used clothings to household equipment. They touch all aspects of life of the African man. This is uniquely an african aspect. It is in-born. Any mention of an African woman must be accompanied by her love of business. This is why they have endured all challenges to keep their families going.

                      The African woman is a champion of collective good and victory. In every liberation struggle there are women players who operate behind the scenes. They nurture would-be leaders. They gather intelligence. In the absence of their husbands,they assume the double roles of a husband and a wife. This is a show of courage and love. Their thoughts are thoughts of peace. Rarely do you get an African woman propagate  what  will pose danger to the public. They are peace agents. This is probably the reason why post-war Liberia decided to pick a woman as its president so as to heal the wounds left by long years of wars and destruction.

                     The African woman is innovative. Challenges have sharpened their minds. If you want a lasting solution to an african problem, the woman is the answer. They have no boundaries. All humans are equal before her  hence deserve equal treatment. This tolerance gives her an upper-hand when it comes to peace-building and bridging broken relations. This could be the reason why women-headed organizations out-perform those headed by men.

                                                 * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * 

                      It pains a lot to hear some chaps say that women are worthless. To say this is to dehumanize women. Beings that dehumanize others aren't complete beings. We become complete when we accept that all humanity is complete. Women are complete creatures. They are the glue that holds humanity together. Allowing women to play their roles in the society will  be the best thing we can do to reward them. We are therefore obliged to rethink our stand on women. This is the first step towards attainment of full participation of women. 

                      Providing women with soft loans, skills on business, moral support, building market shades/stalls, defending them when faced with aggression will go along way in breathing life to the goodies they hold within them. This must be done!

FAILURE TO ELECT WOMEN IS AN ABUSE TO OUR MOTHERS

                 Just pause for a minute and meditate. Think of that moment when you used to shout mama,mama for any challenge you faced. Remember that warm embrace that our mums bestowed upon us every moment we thought the world was turning against us. Think of that single mother who sells vegetables in-order to educate her son. Again,think of those prayerful women of your church/mosque who will always pray and intervene in any matter of public good. Remember those illiterate women of your village who understand the value of education and will never miss to contribute their part in the pursuit of improving education. Yes,think about that.

                 This piece comes as a result of our collective failure. It is not to confine us to the world of meditation but to open our collective conscience on matters of women,their roles and place in the sea of humanity. It is to enable us have a sincere inspection and moral audit of ourselves. Just the same way a responsible father depends not on caning his son but on growing him intellectually.

                  A quick look into the just concluded Kenya elections shows a gloomy picture on women performance. Not even a single County elected a woman governor. All the 47 'mini-presidents' are men! Again on the counties,so far no woman has been elected a senator. It seems we are headed to a male-only senate. I think this is unacceptable. It is a total negation of the role of our mothers and sisters. Some may argue that this was the 'will of the people'  to elect leaders of their choice. How do we define the will of the people? Does it mean exclusion of the weak and the voiceless? Is it a justification for the continued oppression of the powerless? 

                 Methinks 'the will of the people' entails so many factors. It calls for a clear reading of history. It calls for appreciation of the weak and the voiceless as a component of us. It calls for inclusion and participation of all. It calls for application of conscience as basis for decision making,not just the respect of written laws. It demands equality and respect of others.

                It is therefore imperative to admit that by not electing women, we negated our own existence. By not electing women,we reduced ourselves to donkeys and sheep. By not electing women,we indirectly abused our mothers and sisters. This is to be thankless. This is a slap on the face of our mothers. 

                It is foolhardy to show love to our mothers and castigate potential women leaders out there. By calling them names we commit the irreversible sin of turning against our mamas. I think it is time for all of us to engage in constructive dialogue on how to create political space for women. Doing this is the only way to escape the anger of our mothers. As you celebrate the victory of your preferred leader allow this message to sink into you.  AND please meditate!

FROM FATHER TO SON; THE WONDER-WORLD OF WRITING

                       Many have asked me why I love writing. They have sought to know how I arrive at writing long articles full of wisdom. Many back at home (Kenya) have linked my love for writing to my stay in Morocco. They think I 'learned' this art in this land. Nothing is further from the truth. Let me give you a breakdown of the whole story. 

                        My people say knowledge is like an oasis,it dries not when folks drink from it. It is a fountain of hope for many. It is a refuge for the homeless and a pillar of defense for the weak. That is what my ancestors say. Sharing knowledge is the surest and purest way of learning. Knowledge is not money you can tie and have it stored in a secret place. Knowledge is seen. It is felt. It connects. It is the umbilical cord that puts the people of God together. These are the foundations on which my life was laid. Let me tell you how.

                        My semi-illiterate dad is a dallying of books. Writing is his hobby. Talking is his other occupation. He is sharp-eyed and observes from a distance. He is a curious son of the land who leaves not any new idea to pass him. It is through these encounters that we came together. Since he is semi-illiterate I was of great importance to have his ideas put on paper. That was my first step in embracing writing. Perfectness is his other name. In writing his short pieces, accuracy of facts was (and is still) a matter of priority. I remember him saying that what we wrote was destined for the whole world. And indeed it was.

                       Besides,he nurtured my thoughts. He made sure I 'cracked' my mind to get the finest material to write. This has now come in handy whenever I write. He used to say, "believability of facts comes from the mind. By unlocking the full potential of your brains,you inspire many and in turn bring them near you." He need not demonstrate this for me. I saw it myself. Our home was like a 'mini-parliament' of the village. Folks congregated here to discuss with and learn from him. It was an enjoyable encounter. I was always around the corner to listen to these  words of wisdom. Ooh, how I wish I had the capacity to record some of these talks for you and others who didn't have this opportunity!  

                        After these 'sessions' I would always chip in and inquire what transpired during the 'debates'. My father is a generous chap. He would immediately open up and we could discuss and analyze what was said for hours as we write important points down. This is how I came to learn about the anatomy of my people. 

                         Again before he left for any of the numerous local chief's meetings,he called me to help him fine-tune the points he intended to talk about. Here we discussed matters ranging from water challenges, health-care, education, farming, culture and of course the politics of the day.This way I became acquainted with the real world around me.

                         So if you see me writing be informed that this is an inborn passion. It is a continuation of my father's works. It is part of the knowledge-sharing philosophy of my people. For you and others who happened to have missed this golden opportunity I intend to set-up a museum and a local library so you can have a look at some of the writings of the Senior LEMUKOL. See you when this idea becomes a reality. MAY THE BLESSINGS OF GOD BE UPON MY PARENTS.

TURNING WASTE TO MONEY