TURKANA LEADERSHIP NEEDS TO RETHINK

I know to be a leader in places like Turkana isn't an easy task. It's challenging and calls for brains. I also believe that to be crowned a representative of the masses in this part of the planet explains a lot. That one is up-to-task, courageous, wise and focused.

But wait. I have a feeling that the current crop of leaders in Turkana has a problem. This is evidenced by the recent siege of Lorokon sub-location. Absence of a clear voice to condemn this criminal act is a clear indication that the sons and daughters of Turkana County should be ready to stand on their own. 

I'm no propagandist. But let truth be said. My leaders don't fit the bill to talk for the hoi polloi in this forgotten world. They must be reminded of their sworn duty.  We must ask hard questions. People must think. Solutions must be provided. And these are some thoughts...

The Lorokon - Kainuk- Loyapat - Nakwamoru- Juluk - Kapelbok - Kaptir - Lomelo - Lokori killings aren't pushed by thirst for cattle. It's a manifestation of an expansionist campaign by our enemies of development. They are in the process of effecting this. And Lorokon siege was just but the first sign of this satanic scheme. So what? They must be stopped. They must be shown where they belong, period!

Secondly, we must stop crying to the national government even for those things we can do. And this is it. The Turkana County Government MUST construct the Kaptir - Nakwamoru bridge.  The blocking of Lorokon gate should open our eyes. We must have alternatives. And this bridge is the alternative.

Thirdly, it's time we stop lying to the people. We are not one! Don't expect support from Nairobi. Nairobi's support is destined for 'real Kenyans'. And people of Turkana County don't fall in this category. They must fend for themselves. They must protect themselves.

And lastly, arming locals with World War I rifles is a mockery of the real problem on the ground. Those long, old, wooden, bullet-thirsty Mack-4 rifles are defective. They must be replaced by modern rifles and be provided with bullets. MAY PEACE AND LOVE REIGN IN KENYA! 

JUBILEE: YEAR OF RECONCILIATION AND BRIDGING BROKEN RELATIONS

It's undoubtedly clear that prisons and correctional facilities have played a great role in shaping societies. Millions of men and women have gained skills to lead meaningful lives from prisons. Souls have been saved, brains enlightened and families reconciled thanks to progressive prison philosophy.

The efforts of all, the goodwill of societies, the love of God, the humility of prisoners and the care of governments have made concrete gains out of this prison philosophy. It's a commendable act. 

Albeit all these fruits, a lot need to be done to squeeze all the juice out of prisons. Prisons aren't condemnation centers. They are factories of upright citizens. Pause a bit and look at the following:

Poverty is the greatest catalyst of crime. The urge to get the basics - food, shelter and clothing is enough to push Man into breaking the law. To deny this fact is counterproductive. It's escapist and leads to no good. Hence the question: should governments jail all law breakers? 

I believe not in jailing. I believe in separation of the wrong spirit from the body. This entails digging dip into the force driving citizens to commit crimes. This isn't to say that all bad guys should be left off the hook.  There are those who engage in crime for other reasons. They must be punished for their transgressions. 

But payment for 'sins' must go beyond the mere act of locking them in those massive prison walls.  Re-education of the spirit and body must accompany these 'lock-downs.' Imparting skills on and eventual absorption of prisoners into the general life of the nation is what fosters development and peace.

Jailing persons for the sake of doing so leads to desperation and revenge. It destroys relations and friendships.

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I look forward to living in a society that segregates NOT persons based on their prison record. Reformed prisoners have a lot of goodies to offer to humanity.  It's by accommodating them that we get a portion of these goodies.

As we mark fifty years of self-rule, may we strive to make Kenya greater and more accommodative.  This is the year of Jubilee for Kenya. It's the golden moment to reconcile and bridge broken relations. Happy Jubilee year to all Kenyans.

 

 

MAY THE WINDS OF SUCCESS LEAVE YOU REFRESHED....

           There must be refuge to Men
            Perished in winter winds till one smote fire
            From flint stones coldly hiding what they held,
           The red spark treasured from the kindling sun;
           They gorged on flesh like wolves,till one sowed corn,
            Which grew a weed, yet makes the life of man;
            They mowed and babbled till some tongue struck speech
             And patient fingers framed the lettered sound.
             What good gift have my brothers, but it came
             From search and strife and loving sacrifice?
                                                              -Edwin Arnold

I have sweet words for you my friend - success is real, it is a fruit of our works. It's sparked by the challenges we encounter. It's housed in Men - the sons and daughters of God. Thinkers call it 'the motivational force in Men' - the invisible hand that guides the mind of Men.

Which begs the question; why is sufferance part and parcel of the world? The answer is found in the words of Edwin Arnold. He posits that Man possesses a refuge. And that refuge is within him.

It revolves around Man's understanding of life - the place of challenges in the making of the world. He asserts that these challenges are good - for without them  Man loses creativity and the driving force to move things. They are here with us. We live to conquer them. 

As you plan to conclude your year, may you find time to explore your refuge. May you swim in the cool waters of this land. I pray that the winds of success will leave you refreshed and motivated to dig deep into your goldmine. You are  destined for great things. GOD BLESS!

MEGA URBAN PROJECTS NO PANACEA TO POVERTY

There are two widely-held schools of thought on urbanisation and poverty. The first is premised on the belief that mega projects attract investments and hence a sure way to fight poverty. The second is grounded on the philosophy of curing social ailments and therefore, creating an ideal environment for all to better their lives.

The former gravitates on the creation of new cities equipped with modern facilities such as malls, education centers, water lines e.t.c while the latter seeks to provide solutions to the needs of the man and woman in the slum and villages. It pushes for the provision of clean drinking water and sewerage services .

Both of them seek to cut down the human suffering by creating an independent citizen. I agree and disagree with this. I'm of the second school of thought. This is why.

There exists a notion that slums are a nuisance to any city development. Governments and individual citizens have often sited this to justify their actions when dealing with slums vis-à-vis mega urban projects. They have demolished shanties  to pave way for what they term as 'engines of economy'. 

They visualize cities without tin structures and streets devoid of beggars. There is nothing wrong with this. But my fear is that this is impossible to achieve. 

Slums form an integral part of the urban landscape. They give life to cities. It's said if you want to get the latest 'discoveries' you need to take a walk to those rundown settlements. Chaps there are so sharp and have solutions for everything.

They are a source of cheap and affordable labour highly needed in industries and homes. They symbolize the urbanized-rural setting - the countryside in the city. 

Which takes me to where I began. How can we breath life into these neglected settlements? The answer is simple. Provide them with the basics: water, electricity, schools, health facilities, security and more importantly sewerage services. With these in place, governments will rest assured that their 'engines of economy' will run without any hitches.