WHEN WILL TURKANA BE FOOD SUFFICIENT?

It behooves to say the truth. Drought in Kenya - and particularly in Turkana - isn't a new thing. It came calling in 1952 killing nearly 50% of livestock. After almost a decade of breeding and laughing it came back hitting in 1960 decimating the remaining livestock. Then it occurred in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010.

And now, in 2014 the cries of hungry babies and skinny, malnourished mothers can still be heard from this northwestern corner of Kenya. The culprit is none other than - drought.

Fruitless Military Operations

Let’s look at it this way. Northern Kenya has endured countless military operations under the guise of flashing out tribal warlords and restoring peace and order.

During these escapades, many innocent lives were lost, women were raped and peoples' livelihoods destroyed.  

Albeit all the efforts, nothing tangible is there for all to see. Northern Kenya is still insecure. Bandits still reign. Lives are lost daily. Livestock is stolen. Generally, the State has nothing positive to boast of.

Which beggars the questions - what is ailing this segment of the republic? Could there be a different dose?

Stronger and food secure northern Kenya

Northern Kenya, contrary to the perception of many Kenyans, can stand on its own. It can feed its people. It has the potential to produce more than it needs.

There are reasons why this has never been achieved. Convoluted thinking is the mother of all the ailments bedeviling the north.

The people of northern Kenya have over 58,000,000 livestock. Surely, these people should not depend on relief food for generations.

But what is the problem? Water is still a preserve of a few. Large proportion of the population can neither read nor write...

They must be supported for them to support themselves. They are thirsty of knowledge. Is devolution the long-awaited bellwether? Let’s wait and see.

Drilling boreholes

This is the way. Send the military to drill boreholes and livestock watering points to avert conflicts over resources. At-least this will sanitise their stingy records arising from their infamous operations in the north. 

It adds no value to stick to inflexible thinking of the past when people are dying. Feeding the masses is enslaving them. Teaching them to feed themselves is freeing them. 

Incorporate Tullow Oil Plc

Turkana leadership must incorporate Tullow Oil Plc in irrigating Turkana land. This is the best opportunity for them to demonstrate their friendship with the people of Turkana. 

It is incumbent for local leaders to know that championing for peoples' lives is not demanding for government food rations whenever deaths occur. True leadership should be seen in action. Stop empty brouhaha and free the people from the Prison of Hunger! Irrigation is the way!

Twitter: @mlemukol

COULD DEVOLUTION BE THE ADVENT OF 47 REVOLUTIONS?

We celebrated. We danced. We sang songs of praise. We called everybody to come and witness the year of fruits and abundance. The year of devolution and people-power.

We pinned our hopes on devolution. For we knew this was designed to reach the poorest of the poor. That it will be the bedrock over which the village economy will stand. But is it turning out to be the guardian angel we all expected? Or has it been corrupted by the dare-devils of this planet?

Taxes, levies, fees, licenses...kuku-kodi (chicken tax) and the brutality, arrogance, open display of ignorance by counties will kill devolution. 

Let's put the record straight. It is no crime to pay taxes. And it is no crime too to disobey punitive taxation laws. Ignoring unjust laws is the weapon of the voiceless. This can't be taken away from them.

There is a common feature popping up in almost all counties across the Republic of Kenya. They envision grand projects - mega cities, airports, convention centers etc. Which is very good. But one question remains unanswered. Who will shoulder the cost of bringing these "progressive" ideas into reality?

It appears the brains behind these projects didn't go beyond their noses. They failed from the word go. They thought their grand projects are "sell-able"  to the common county citizen. 

Which brings us to the grand question: why should a chicken farmer finance the construction of a city he will never "enjoy" while he walks for hundreds of kilometers in search of clean drinking water? 

I think our county chiefs must be reminded to read the signs and act before they are caught up. You don't grow the county economy by imposing scary fees. Growing economy demands creativity and moving along with the "builders of economy"- the village "investors".

Simple gestures will avert the chaos we witness in Mombasa, Machakos and Kiambu. You can't lock out hawkers from selling their wares at designated points and expect to sleep in peace. You can't over-tax the local sukuma-wiki vendor and expect poverty levels to go down. 

Create conducive environment for business for the lowest of the lowest and your grand projects will be accomplished in record time! Failure to do so, expect nothing short of a revolution. Yes, "County Spring."

Twitter: @mlemukol

DOG MEAT? NO, NO, NOT IN TURKANA COUNTY

And the drama continues.... A granny is "nabbed frying dog's meat for her grand children". Government officials launch investigations as to why/how this happened. Aid agencies and their local salesmen run in frenzy alerting the world of a people on the verge of dying of hunger. Media takes over. Images of emaciated and dying children are splashed. And guess what? Billions of shillings are raised to "feed" the hungry. Then, the business continues....

Pause a bit. The people of Turkana County might be in need of food. Drought could have ravaged their sources of livelihood. Some of them might have resorted to "desperate measures to survive". Yes, desperate measures - (but) not feasting on dog's meat.

Let me explain why. According to 2009 National Population and Housing census Turkana County "owns" 1,534,612 Cattle, 3,517,151 sheep, 5,994,861 goats, 832,462 camels, 558,187 donkeys...and so on - ad infinitum. If these numbers are spread across the 800,000+ people living in this vast county, this is what we get: 2 Cattle per person, 4-5 sheep per man, woman or kid, 7 goats per county citizen.... 

This takes me to the crux of my argument. Could a people with all these mali (wealth) go hunting dogs for meat? If yes, what could be driving them to do so? What could be the problem? Is it lack of food or lack of markets for their animals? 

Turkana County can feed itself - and the Republic of Kenya. The people of Turkana County have demonstrated this. They have the energies. They possess the soul of a working and results-oriented humans. But some ingredients are missing.

The hunger in Turkana County does not arise due to lack of "food to eat" (pardon the construction) but due to lack of "food to buy". They keep the animals but few known middlemen profit. They connive and cut deals in the dark leaving the gullible livestock keeper to wait for his final trumpet call.

Solution? Don't distribute relief food. Teach them on the usefulness of cooperatives. Give them the seed money they need to make this a reality. This will lock out those merciless middlemen and eventually restore dignity to this rich poor.

Publishing "news" without providing facts is suicidal and erodes the dignity of a people. I have no doubt that this could be the work of some dollar-thirsty N.G.Os.

It is time we ask hard questions: with all the donor billions they have received, what have they done to help this forgotten cattle herder "stand on his own". Appealing to the world for short-term help is not aiding a people. It is enslaving the masses. Stop this and concentrate on meaningful works! I rest my case.

Twitter: @mlemukol

FROM GAY RIGHTS, SOVEREIGNTY, LAWS, AFRICA'S CRYING BABIES TO "CATCHY" MATTERS

It may sound controversial, but please, I beg you hold your horses and go through the whole content before throwing tantrums. The issue is about the "unholy" talk about gay people (the not-so-straight-people).

Nigeria already has a law in place against this. Uganda nearly joined the list. Many more (African) countries might be closely analyzing the situation with a view to either enhancing penalties against homosexual acts or simply bite the bullet and "permit" homosexuals to mingle freely with the other "good people" in town.

In my view, there is nothing wrong with this. It is within the confines of every sovereign state to steer its citizens in the ways it deems fit.

However, I have some reservations. The speed with which anti-gay laws are passed raises so many questions than answers. It is not "ordinary" for an African parliament to unite in any issue. We are known to haggle and gaggle in everything and anything. Talking is our mainstay. Walking the talk is a "forced" character. 

But look, the anti-gay debate has revealed the inner-sanctum of African Parliaments: The anti-gay debates attracted bi-partisan support. There was a semblance of "seriousness" in law making. The media generously publicized the issue. In most cases (for the Ugandan case) the debating chambers were full (there was no/little quorum hitch). 

Which beggars the question: could this be applied to say to debates on reduction of maternal and child mortality rates, youth unemployment, national economies or even matters peace in Africa's crying babies -the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR) and South Sudan?

Methinks not. I guess there are reasons behind all this (Africa’s contest with waves fronting gay rights).

One. It is the easiest way to appeal to the masses. Publicity is food for any politician. And if anti-gay law will grant you this "gold", why not go for it?

Two. It is the most sell-able "commodity" in town. You want to mint millions? Form gay rights lobby and you will harvest billions of Non-Governmental Organizations (N.G.O) dollars from supporters of your cause. This could be the reason why it is "not catchy" to belong to a lobby group that champions for the rights of say, the suffering masses in war-torn Syria.

Three. It is a manifestation of abundance of “primitive” energy. We have too much time and energy to talk about how to slaughter all gay people than searching for solutions to unemployment and rising crime rates.

Four. It is a cover-up for "lack" of development ideas. You see, it is human to be defensive. I tend to think that our politicians could have noticed this. That the political support base is dwindling for lack of meaningful development. Hence, the push for anti-gay legislation to leverage on public emotions.

No matter how long it will take, Africa and her people will eventually ask hard questions. Young people will rise up to demand their fair share of the cake. Perhaps that is the moment our leaders will understand the art of capitalising on time and resources to yield positive results. God guide your people!

Twitter: @mlemukol

OF COUNTY BUDGETS, BOONDOGGLES, RANGE ROVERS, DANCE HALLS, TOURS AND REVOLUTIONS.

Kenya is undoubtedly in a positive path - at least in theory. It has embraced devolution with gusto. The gospel in town is about County billions and development. The men and women in the village have "discovered" that nothing else stands in the way of development. They have elected their trusted leaders. And the National Government has "devolved" billions of shillings to the village.

But wait. Is this experiment benefiting the target group? It may be argued that it is too early to rate their (County Governments) performance. But the recently released County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report tells all. That development and devolution are incompatible. That as long as billions will be devolved, men and women in offices will parachute from one planet to the other to "learn" new ways of “actualizing development".

Which takes us to the hoi polloi. Will they benefit from this national largess? My mind tells me this. Boondoggles will be launched to "win" the hearts of the development-thirsty county residents. The fat cats will be dispatched to villages to "preach" the gospel of development. And my people will shout in agreement. Then they will retreat to their cocoons "knowing" that the sons and daughters of the soil will effect the change they preached.

And the change will actually come. The villages will be dotted with fuel guzzlers and dance halls. The sons and daughters of the soil will converge there to burn some excess calories gained after spending long nights "planning how to develop the masses".

Outside, my people will be mourning for losing a loved one due to absence/lack of health facilities. They will be told to wait until more money comes (from Nairobi). 

They will be asked to rejoice because the "success of a son (from the neighborhood) is success of everybody". That their sons can purchase range rovers and shake their tummies is development that should not worry them. They should accept the bitter truth - that this is "devolution". That it is time for "local sons and daughters" to eat the national cake.

But my people won't let it go. They will rise up to reclaim their place. They will face their sons and demand answers. And finally, the cake will be eaten by the masses. Of course, after some people have received heavy slaps!


Twitter: @mlemukol

MAY 2014 BE THE YEAR OF WOMEN AND NORTHERN KENYA

2014 is here with us. Northern Kenya is still crying. Bloodshed continues. Cries of hungry babies can be heard all over this place. Leaders are shouting and blaming the gods and men. The hoi polloi  agrees with this rhetoric. They too have joined the choir. They sing and dance. Then they retreat to their villages to wait for another day. And life continues.

Calm down and get this. The key to unlocking the potential in northern Kenya rests with its women. They are the biblical Joshua to guide the Children of Northern Kenya to the Promised Land. They have the energies to effect this. And they have done it. Look at these:

Hon Joyce Emanikor

You want to know her? Listen to what she says and you will agree with me that the future for Turkana County is brighter. This Winnie of Turkana County has great plans for her people. She is a lioness with a heart for her children. 

She thinks and follows her thoughts. She listens and learns from everybody, opponents and supporters alike. She discriminates not. I find her the ideal peace maker that Turkana and Northern Kenya has been waiting for. Jump into action mama. The field is yours!

Tecla Loroupe

This daughter of West Pokot simplifies the role of women in impoverished and "locked" communities. Pomposity and showing off don't exist in her vocabulary. I call her the Mother Teresa of Northern Kenya. 

Her love for education is unrivaled. Her travails transcend the boundaries of her mother land. She is a woman in a mission. She bridges rifts created by conflicts. She has set the revolutionary ball rolling. 

Tecla blends with the crawling mothers of northern Kenya. She sings their songs and eats their food but thinks differently, with a view to improving the lives of the many. 

The single mothers of northern Kenya

This is another forgotten lot. They are a product of conflicts and droughts. I admire their resilience and courage. Their philosophy is that of turning impossibilities into possibilities. They have educated their kids, supported their families and strengthened the village economies. 

They are outgoing and full of ideas. Humbleness is their greatest companion. They have mastered the art of learning first and fast. But they are thirsty of one thing: a little financial push!

My mother - Mama Moses

I know her as a stern and perfectionist woman. She drills sense into you in style. She fears not to point any wrongs in you. I love and respect her for the far she has steered us. She taught us how to think and share. May God prolong her days in this world to see the good tidings of her work. I love you mama!

May northern Kenya discover the wealth in her women. I have deep conviction that long lasting peace and development in northern Kenya can be found with the involvement of women. I pray that this year becomes the year of women and northern Kenya. God bless my people!

Twitter: @mlemukol