IT'S TIME CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS SPOKE ‘UNGA’

Ever since the emergence of civil society groups in Africa questions still linger on what their "true role" is. There is no clear understanding of what their mission is. For the common man and woman in the streets and villages, civil society groups are just but an offshoot of the usual non-governmental organizations. A sought of foot-soldiers bankrolled to achieve certain ends. For the hoi polloi, civil societies have just been as good as aid-dispensers. 

Following this confusion, I think, it behooves for the civil groups to come out boldly and declare what responsibilities they carry and what people should expect from them. Perhaps they should borrow a leaf from the political class and use what is sell-able to the public to win them and move along with them in the journey to full emancipation.

As evidenced by their actions, it is clear that these pressure groups are guided by the philosophy of: empowering the people to rise above all challenges (social, political or economic). That is; to shield the people from the dangers of their own shortcomings and the excesses of their governments.

But a look into their activities leaves many questions than answers. The public is still far from standing on its own. It still is unable to boldly and confidently point out the excesses of governments. Its susceptibility renders it prey to rogue government officials.

Put it another way: civil societies have achieved little in empowering Wanjiku. They have reduced Wanjiku to a cry baby - a helpless and confused Wanjiku who must be supported to walk, talk, think and act. This is the farthest she has "progressed". 

This is not a blanket condemnation. Civil societies have done a great deal of work. They have received bullets and blows in defense of Wanjiku. But they have not achieved the much needed goal of growing a healthy, focused and bold Wanjiku who can receive the bullets and blows on her own.

This is why. They have devoted much of their time in endless talks and shouts, and write-ups and reports. It seems, they believe, too much talk will put ugali on Wanjiku's table. Far from it.

Wanjiku can only stand on her own if she is economically empowered. 

Note the dividing lines between the upper and lower classes in Kenya, for instance. It is not tribe. It is not geography. It is not religion. Not even language does separate the two. The dividing line is money. It is unga. Money is the cohesive force that keeps members of the upper class together. Nothing else!

Economic fiat, it seems, is the answer to our self-inflicted differences and "nothingness".

The 2007-08 Post-Election Violence is a true testimony of what money can do to keep the affluent from slaughtering each other. An empty stomach is our greatest enemy. It must be torpedoed for all to live in peace.

Similarly, it is almost impossible to find the la crème de la crème of the Maasai community parading their girls before knife-wielding grandmas in some bushes in Kajiado County to mutilate their genitalia. You see, such acts are the preserve of the poor (not in a negative sense though).

Which leads us to the crux of the matter: economic empowerment should take center-stage in all Wanjiku-centric activities. 

A bellyful Wanjiku can think, speak and act boldly, independently and authoritatively. Put ugali on her table and you see her spring up!

Twitter: @mlemukol. E-mail: lemoseh89@gmail.com.