WESTGATE TRAGEDY; KENYAN SPIRIT IN ACTION

                    I have always wondered how as Kenyans we've scaled the heights of success despite our quarrels. I got the answer this week when some agents of terror thought their provocation would shake the conscience of Kenyans. They thought their satanic acts would play to their advantage.  To their (terrorists) surprise, Kenyans dropped their differences and forged a united front.

                     They rallied behind the government in responding to the distress calls of the injured and hostages. They prayed for the hospitalized and condoled with the bereaved. Some risked their lives in order to save the lives of their compatriots. 

                      Above all is the role played by our gallant security personnel. Theirs can only be described as an act of courage and of brotherly love. Even in the face of danger these fearless sons and daughters of Kenya are ready to lay their lives so as to keep Kenya safe and secure. 

 

                     It is a segment of society that all right thinking humans should hold dear and treat with respect. They confronted the enemy with gusto to prove that theirs isn't just a service but a duty they love most - defending Kenyans and keeping them safe.

                     Also of interest is the general public that donated the little they had to support the families of the bereaved and the victims. I find no other word to describe this rather than just terming it a family response. We sacrificed our pleasures to donate foods, money, blood and all the necessary support to prove to the world that despite the works of Satan, we shall always remain a family.

                     With our actions we've taught the enemy a lesson he will never forget. That we are one! That we are indivisible. That we are a family. That touching us only serves to cement the brotherly love we already enjoy.

                     That no true religion advances its teachings through killings and terror. We shall triumph. We shall win. And we shall crush all the plans of the devil and powers of darkness.

                      Kenya belongs to children of God. A people whose values revolve around peace, love and unity. Individuals whose objective is to dismantle these values have no place in Kenya. They are children of Satan and should be treated as such. May we remain united and fight a common fight of eliminating these elements of Hell.

KENYA'S PROGRESS DERAILED BY A NARCISSIST SPIRIT

                  It is no secret that Kenya is poised to take-off. It is blessed with wonderful people. A people with brains and energies. A people full of optimism. Within its borders are unexploited riches that only God can quantify. It is a nation of religious and God-loving people.....But wait, something is wrong; they are possessed by a narcissist spirit. 

                   This "satanic spirit" has corrupted all their thoughts and actions. It has rendered them poor in a sea of blessings. It has transformed them into crying children - a nagging population. It has made my people slaves and prisoners of themselves: They have eyes but don't see. They have brains but don't think.

                    Nothing can demonstrate this much than a group of Kenya's Honorables at The Hague. The week was abuzz with news of Kenya's Members of Parliament who took to their knees at the ICC (International Criminal Court) to "pray" for their compatriots on trial at The Hague.

                    Then there was that drama of MP Mithika Linturi arguing with a Hague cop who wanted to know why they were kneeling in the streets. As this transpired, the female MPs were busy "praising and worshipping" and saying the Lord's Prayer. The bottom line was that "Kenyans were in the dock" as rightly said by Hon. Mithika who was quoted as saying thus, ".....It is us (Kenyans) who are charged here ( ICC)".

                    The logic advanced by these "representatives of the people" was that all Kenyans are under obligation to "mourn when their leaders mourn." That they must stand by them in "solidarity" even when conscience speaks the contrary. This is the bedrock over which this narcissist spirit is built. It pushes for acceptance without questioning. It advocates for absolute respect. It crushes the intellectual independence of a person. It thrives in crowd power.

                    This is a hot potato we've assumed it will "cool" by itself. This spirit is here with us until we exorcise it. No Kenyan is a stranger to the dangers posed by this thinking. We all know that our small wars are caused by the feeling that our thoughts are crushed and not taken into account by others. We feel bitter when our contributions are locked out but still never learn to correct the equation. Whenever we get chances, we make sure that we dominate the thoughts and actions as though we know what others want.

                   And when it backfires we run to God for help. We go down on our knees "crying and praying". Let’s not fool ourselves. God has done His part. We've the solutions to our challenges. Accept others as an integral part of development and this madness will die and Kenya will take-off! LONG LIVE KENYA!

WOMENS' RIGHTS HIJACKED BY THIEVING GROUPS

                It has been an interesting moment to look at the roles of  women lobby groups vis-a-vis the rights of women in the world, and Kenya in particular. There is no doubt that today’s women are more enlightened and knowledgeable of their rights than their predecessors thanks to policy changes across the globe and a rethinking of this particular creature. Now, unlike before, women are bold enough to speak and even threaten their governments whenever they feel their rights are infringed upon.

                This can be termed as a wonderful move in liberating a creature that has been sidelined for ages. It's beneficial to all - not just women - for there can never be happiness for all when a segment of God's creation is unhappy. Happiness is a reward for making others happy. And this is why women must be made to feel happy for all to enjoy happiness.

                 But does this happiness flow down to the lowest and slowest of this segment? Methinks no! I think, and certainly believe that this happiness has been hijacked by some fire-spitting women and lobby groups masquerading as defenders of the weak and the neglected. They have turned this happiness to a gift dished out to a few individuals on the basis of - say - their positions, publicity or deepness of their pockets. They have turned these lobby groups into mouth pieces for those who can speak for themselves - which begs the question - who can speak for the voiceless and the weak?

                 This is a thought we have to ponder if we really have the interests of the slowest and weakest women in our hearts. For it is valueless to talk of women empowerment when the real target is sidelined and used as bait to fish more funds and aid. 

                 This kind of thievery must stop for happiness to flow to the hearts of all God's creation. This selective defense must stop if we want to uplift that illiterate, poor, defenseless woman. 

                   I totally agree that those with means are eligible to be supported by these lobby groups. They are rightly placed to claim this happiness. Yes, this is justified! But shouting aloud all over town when a prominent lady is troubled and remain muted when a certain unknown lady is raped is a mockery of the principles of womens' empowerment. I will not, and cannot, call this "defense of women’s' rights". I call this "hypocrisy". It is akin to spitting on the face of the weak and demanding that they respect you. 

                   This isn't a blanket dismissal that the interests of the weakest haven't been attended to. It's a condemnation for the selective nature in which these interests are fulfilled. Unless the voiceless and defenseless women are saved, there can never be happiness for all! 

TURKANA: OF OIL, WATER, BILLIONS, POVERTY AND TATTERED ROADS

             Turkana County has "come out" positively this year thanks to the discovery of oil in the barren plains of Lokichar, disbursement of billions of shillings through the CDF and the county government and the finding that Turkana people sleep in pools of water. This is one side of the story.

             Then there is this other story of poverty, illiteracy and tattered roads. This, I guess, is what has propelled Turkana to become the mother of all problems. It is a story that demands a rethink. It is a story that puts the current leadership at crossroad. It is a point of no return for all stakeholders.

             But there is something interesting in these two narratives. The point is that one is a problem and the other is a perfect solution. It looks like a divine quiz put before the leadership of this vast county. The unfolding of events points to a bright future. It is indicative of a thinking leadership. But alot need to be done in order to reach "Canaan". Hard nuts must be cracked and edible fruit harvested for the people to start swimming in the cool waters of happiness.

             This, therefore, calls for action - yes, change-provoking actions. Such actions are with the people themselves. The people have all the answers. What they need is just a little "push". This “push” must descend from Lodwar. 

              Here are some ideas: Purchase low cost mobile water drilling machines and deploy them to the people. Drill as many boreholes as possible and send this water scarcity problem to museums. Kibwezi West constituency has done this and succeeded in bringing this precious commodity to the masses. It is as simple as eating ugali. Do it NOW!

               Secondly, meaningful development is anchored on liberating education. I'm not talking of degrees and such kind of things. I'm talking of thought-provoking education. Our mamas are thirsty of this liberating knowledge. Provide them with business skills. Show them the way and they will reach the destination by themselves. This doesn't demand much. Just the WILL to save others!

               Thirdly, plenty of water means the need to venture in agriculture. Push Lodwar based bureaucrats to the ground to provide the people with extension services. This is how you kill dependency on relief foods. Bumper harvests will automatically translate to hunger for markets and good roads. Fix these two and your work will be done. And we shall say: IT'S DONE MR GOVERNOR! 

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT MEANS NOT FIGHTING MEN

I support women empowerment. I have penned several articles in support of this. There is no doubt that women have played a pivotal role in nurturing the world and its people. They have supported families and offered leadership to the neglected and abandoned. They embody courage, patience and perseverance. This calls for a celebration!

Still on the same. History teaches us that women are good negotiators. They understand the art of persuasion. They can get away with all they need because they know what to say and where to touch. In short, they know what a man wants to hear from them. 

However, it seems women are ready to discard all these qualities at the altar of "women’s rights". Methinks there is a total confusion when it comes to matters to do with women empowerment and the traditional qualities attached to women. I'm sorry to state this; women empowerment means not fighting men. Development isn't a result of dislodging one another. It is a product of inclusiveness. And this is what informs the idea behind women empowerment. It is simply bringing women on board and letting them participate in nation building.

It is incumbent to note that there exist red lines no matter how much we will talk about the roles of men and women in nation building. It is valueless to sugarcoat an illegality just because it involves a woman and a man. To support an injustice is not "fighting for the rights of women". It adds value to call a spade a spade. Fighting for the rights of women demands caution and objectivity. It demands fairness. Absence of this risks plunging the smooth ride of emancipating women into the rough waters of intolerance.

Methinks it is time women evaluate themselves. They MUST look into themselves honestly and ask themselves hard questions. They must read history and evaluate themselves on the basis of the actions of those who came before them. The MEKATILILIS of the yesteryears didn't storm offices while presenting their grievances. They knew very well that when you rough up with a man's ego, you must be ready to shoulder the burden that comes thereafter.

This is not an approval of highhandedness against women. It is just but a reminder to our mothers, aunties, and sisters that arrogance isn't the route to take when fighting for ones rights. There exists historically tested route that leads to soberness and positive results. Shouting and yelling at people have never yielded any fruits.  They lead to destruction and even slaps and kicks. Voila shape up and things will go well!