Governor Nanok Must Fight Procurement Mafias Belittling Local Traders

The advent of devolution is by all standards an epochal event. If solidly implemented it will revolutionize grass-root development of this nation and lessen the burden of fighting poverty. So far we have seen many strides in terms of service delivery and general appreciation of government presence.

Many hitherto “locked” counties are up on development scales. Communities that for years depended on the goodwill of those pulling national political strings are beginning to "taste the value of their taxes". Many schools, health facilities, community centers et al are popping up across this country. The recently released World Bank report is a clear testimony of this.

However, the unchecked negative influence of local elites coupled with ignorance among members of the public vis-à-vis accountability and budgeting prove to be the foremost obstacles to a successful devolution take-off. 

Put it differently, local “boys and girls” have strategically positioned themselves to “eat from home pot” thanks to the ignorance of their people. 

We need not move far to point out that real enemies of devolution are not stationed in Nairobi but right at the doorsteps of our village folks. They masquerade as leaders who espouse willingness to make real the fruits of devolution.

Being ranked as the best performing county by World Bank is not in my view the ultimate mark that should be relied upon to either critique or praise county governments' leadership. For me a county government is the engine that translates the procurement complexities of Nairobi's bureaucracies to simple procedures bearing in mind the dynamics and contexts of village folks.

Counties are specially designed to rope in the hitherto “valueless village people” into governance and development chain. It’s not about creating a special niche through which friends and relatives siphon public funds.

Brandishing endless pages of procurement annexes to justify why certain groups and personalities have an upper hand in scooping contracts and tenders adds no value to mama mbogas'  businesses dotting our villages. 

Turkana County, despite its sterling performance records, has a long way to go to make real the benefits of devolution to her mama mbogas. 

To channel all tender/contract adverts through newspapers and expect Turkana's illiterate population to access the required information is a fallacy of the highest degree. (Remember eighty percent of these people depend on word of mouth to access any information!)

This is clearly a technical maneuver to lock out our local traders and open doors for predetermined suppliers and contractors.

It’s about legitimizing “eating”. It has nothing to do with stimulating local economies but to accumulate contract coins in few known pockets. We must exorcise these spirits as early as now!

We know it. This is the handiwork of procurement mafias populating Turkana county “ministries”. Hear what they say. That local people have no capability to supply and/or execute a contract. That their economic muscles are not at par with the demands of the said contracts and/or tenders.

Of course exceptions exist. Some works demand expertise and deep pockets to execute. But exceptions ought not to be the order of the day. If the "small fish" are capable of doing something why lock them out? By the way we can create "big fish" from our many small fish by empowering them through welfare groups. This is the import of devolution!

Tellingly, it demands some foresight to dismantle these procurement mafias before they spread all over and derail the devolution train. 

Devolution is not just about building dispensaries. People are equally entitled to know who were contracted to build them and if local business-people were part of them. I don't suffer xenophobia. So this is not all about locking out perceived non-locals from winning contracts and/or tenders.

It's about striking a middle ground. It's about eliminating these greedy chaps who belittle local traders just because they are “locals”. It's about fighting poverty through entrepreneurship. 

For this to materialize Governor Josphat Nanok has to shout out and go after the necks of these procurement mafias. His continued silence will be his greatest undoing. Leadership must be felt by all. 

The cattle herders of Oropoi, the mango traders of Kainuk, the charcoal burners of Kibish and many others across Turkana stand to lose if these procurement mafias aren't knocked out of the way.

I don't advocate for tribal preference when awarding tenders. I am for openness and empowerment of lowly-classed investors. Procurement must be tinged with patriotism for it to benefit all. 

Will the good Governor seize the moment?

Lemukol Ng'asike is an architect. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com.Twitter: @mlemukol.  

For Turkana's Survival No NGO Lies Should Live Forever

Children of Kootoro Mixed Primary School in Turkana County 

Much has been said about the works of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the northern counties of this country. To the media and many of you who don't come from these regions, NGO hand is akin to an anti-poverty machine whose exploits are purely pro-people and whose initiatives are by all standards pro-empowerment.

The veracity of this standpoint depends on several factors. Those spinning this NGO machine will definitely maintain a narrative that contradicts not the big shots' punch lines atop the "eating chain."

Those depending exclusively on the media for information will be excused for not getting the true picture of NGO operations on the ground. For this group, a northern Kenya devoid of NGOs is as good as dead.

And for the poor mass out there, NGO lies and doublespeak must be eliminated for true empowerment to come their way. According to these folks, NGO double-dealing is more for the interests of a tiny minority whose driving force is wholly founded on thievery and blatant disregard of the core pillars over which humanitarian work is founded. 

This calls to mind the now infamous maxim murmured by my people that "the sight of poor folks invites not genuine gesture of support (from those with means) but a long line of people pushed by the need to cash in from the tribulations of the poor."

Let's move straight to core of this matter. While it is evidently clear that Turkana County remains the biggest beneficiary of NGO benevolence, many questions regarding the impact of this "benevolence" remain unanswered. 

Despite the endless stream of NGO dollars over there, the people of Turkana County still hold the tag of "the poorest people" in Kenya. The question many are asking is thus: Why aren't we noticing any improvement even with the many "anti-poverty interventions" in the area?

I think I know the reason. But first let's be clear. Fight against poverty is not a NGO-affair alone. This fight demands our collective participation in order to make any tangible inroads. The State, the political class, the people, donors and everybody must join hands to eliminate this monster. 

However, it must be made clear that fight against poverty must be premised not on lies but on concrete pro-people initiatives.

To equate the distributionist mentality currently practiced by those claiming to be leading the fight against poverty in Turkana to real empowerment and anti-poverty moves is akin to making reverse steps and expect to progress. This is not the way to lift the poor!

To spoon-feed poor folks, in my view, is worse than leaving them without any support. Turkanas have received food rations for over fifty years yet poverty still reigns supreme. The population is growing hungrier year in year out!

Isn't this enough to push us into self-condemnation for prescribing a defective cure to this population? Or whose concern is it if the people yawn and demand for more in a sea of opportunities? 

I hear a task force on Public Benefits Organisations Act - a law governing the NGO sector - is moving around this country to collect views from citizens. 

My view is here: Don't waste time talking about capping the amount of money NGOs should receive from donors. The task force should tell the world why despite endless streams of NGO dollars sweeping over Turkana, poverty is still unchallenged.

It adds no value saluting entities that have exposed their weaknesses in fighting poverty, protecting dignity of the poor and being truthful to their founding principles. A clean sweep is needed to remove all the bad apples masquerading as "peoples' helpers".

To remain silent while the poor groan from the blows of a few entities operating under heavy clouds of lies is to support plunder.  

To dictate Utopian procedures on the poor is to twist their logic. You cannot pay the poor out of poverty. It is by acknowledging the centrality of the people - the final victors in this "war against poverty" - that we shall see the need to involve them in our pursuit to lift them up.

Selective interventions negate the very essence of collective participation. You cannot claim to be supporting education for all when what you do is to handpick a few “home boys and girls” and hand them expensive Masters scholarships. 

An illiterate mass such as the one residing in Turkana County needs more primary and secondary schools and middle-level colleges for real impact to be felt by all. 

We must move with speed and confront these NGO lies for Turkana - and the world - to survive. It is our duty to do this.

Lemukol Ng'asike is an architect. Email:  lemoseh89@gmail.com. Twitter:  @mlemukol. 

Pointless Nomadism Is The Hallmark Of Our Economic Stagnation

A plethora of economic models geared at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of Kenya's pastoralist communities have in recent times gained much prominence. Now, it is quite common to come across policy papers with clear benchmarks and development goals to be achieved in "sedentarising Kenyan nomadic communities".

At the village level, an encounter with "anti-nomadism evangelicals" brandishing training manuals and spewing endless streams of development philosophies that nomads must adopt in order to test the fruits of a sedentary lifestyle will give you a clear picture of this fight against nomadism. 

From the look of things, one would wonder whether nomadic lifestyle, as practiced by a section of Kenyan communities, is the main spirit that should be exorcised for economic development to take root.

Again, brains behind this campaign seem to advance a flawed reasoning that nomadic practices, in totality, should be thrown away for they are "defective, unresponsive and economically unsustainable". 

Which brings us to the crux of our matter: Couldn't there be a different, more inclusive way of economically uplifting nomadic people apart from resorting to badmouthing their age-old practice? 

I agree with those calling for a re-examination of our nomadic constructs. Nomads must drift away from keeping livestock only for dowry payment and superficial display of 'wealth'. The capacity to calibrate livestock keeping rests with the nomads themselves. Their schooled sons and daughters have a greater responsibility to actualize this.

Nomadic practice is without a doubt facing many challenges. Pressure on land and land resources has left many herder communities wandering over long distances in search of water and pastures for their livestock.

The ongoing oil and gas explorations in northern Kenya have introduced a completely new dimension on land ownership. There is a growing need among local communities that oil exploration activities have reduced them to "prisoners in their own land".

This is what they say: Oil exploration activities have hampered their free-range movement.

Though this demand might sound simplistic, it must be remembered that land, pasture and livestock are the three key elements over which economic well-being of these people is anchored. Any interference with them will automatically attract a harsh (and perhaps, ugly) backlash from the people.

How can we straighten things before they get out of hand?

The belief that any solution must originate from outside indigenous communities must be debunked if our moves to uplift nomadic communities are really genuine. Many development partners have fallen victims to this one-sided mentality that has crippled any attempt to reach the poor.

It is time we stood against this. To disregard the voice of target communities just because they lack the technical know-how to explain their wish is akin to disrespecting them. We delink projects from communities the moment we fail to listen to them. 

Calibrating nomadic practices has something to do with water availability. A common maxim among nomadic communities goes thus: "Pastoralists follow water and grass." The surest way of creating permanent settlements is by building dams.

The new-found thirst for natural resources found in lands inhabited by nomadic communities should compel us to look for a permanent solution to water scarcity stalking people over there. Piecemeal interventionism will leave pastoralists exposed to water challenges. 

Perhaps, this is another opportunity for those championing for alternative economic models to demonstrate their commitment.

To win the hearts and minds of these communities, it is incumbent upon all development actors to seek ways of reconciling their interests with community demands.

Communities must always remain the focal point of all development initiatives. By the way, they are the central reason why those claiming to uplift them troop to the villages. So, why sideline them?

Lemukol Ng’asike is an architect. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com.  Twitter: @mlemukol. 

Is 'The Star' Newspaper The Black Sheep In Kenya's Mediascape?

Kenya's mediascape is, without a doubt, undergoing far-reaching changes in several respects. The vibrancy of Kenya's media is a mark of our successful march towards inclusive development revolving around information sharing, fostering of democratic credentials and creating a platform through which citizens can exercise the same.

Naturally, a vibrant media is the hallmark of accountability. Its independence is principally materialized on the extent of its engagement or, put it differently, on the degree of its role as Peoples' Watchdog. This undertaking thrusts huge responsibilities on the shoulders of the media.

From this foregoing, it is clear to us that our media still has a long way to go to prove its place. This is not to negate the positive strides achieved so far. It is to help us gauge our performance in order to be able to prescribe the needed antidote - at least for the common good of Kenya and her people.

It ought to be underlined that a media's 'vibrancy' does not automatically indicate its 'independence'. Vibrancy is more concerned with the media's own benefits and progress. Independence, on the other hand, is a mark of uprightness of the media in advancing public interest. It is its ability to speak out that which may be detrimental to what is deemed as media's own benefits. 

It is simply the capacity of media outlets to risk their own interests in order to advance good governance, accountability and to speak for those unable to speak for themselves - the marginalized, victims of state apathy and all the victims of ills that dot this great land. 

Several studies have demonstrated the underpinnings of a vibrant media as compared to what will be considered as independent media. One, the fallacy that a vibrant media translates to independence of the media is a myth that must be debunked by all. 

Two, many media houses are big players in what is commonly referred to as ' balancing act'. This is what they do. They selectively pick what to (or not to) 'expose' and where not to 'touch' on the basis of repercussions - suspension of advert contracts, over-regulation by the State bodies as a means to emasculate the media, or in worst cases, an attempt to close down entire media houses - that could fly their way. 

Three, in order to look 'good', some media houses allegedly tamper with their news content to 'smooth-sell' a version of a story that appeals to the ears of those bankrolling their operations.

This explains why certain established news outlets rarely broadcast/publish news that could stand out as 'negatively parading' your business/political associates.

Isn't this what makes Kenya's media 'vibrant' and not 'independent'?

How then can we boast of an independent media when it is wholly grounded on the quick sand of double speak?

Methinks there is a greater need to rethink our parameters of measuring the independence of our media. It remains to be seen whether the much touted media freedom in Kenya has actually been translated to freedom for all Kenyans.

This brings me to my central point. To inject 'independent blood' into Kenya’s media, a black sheep is highly needed. We are victims of repetitive process that finds no usefulness in seeking new ways of doing things. Mark you; this is not just confined to the media alone. The problem dots all our private and public corridors.

This is why, I think, 'The Star' is showing the way. Reading through the paper paints an image of media outlet that charts its own way by revealing what is commonly murmured and forgotten. It is straight in its language. It sees no reason to zigzag around an issue. 

Though many may view this as an attempt by the paper to be relevant in a mediascape characterized by intense patronage, I believe what its editors are doing is wholly for the good of this nation. For it serves no purpose being 'good' to a select few and sidelining a whole population. 

Media outlets have the discretion to determine what they put across to their readers/listeners/viewers but this discretion must be tinged with the long-term aspirations of the nation. 

'The Star' Newspaper is actually leading the way in making these aspirations real.

Lemukol Ng'asike is an Architect. Email:  lemoseh89@gmail.com . Twitter:  @mlemukol. 

'Kapedo Tussle' Is Expansionism Laced With High-Level Greed For Resources

Photo COURTESY: UNDP

February 3rd saw the Senate Committee on National Security under the leadership of Senator Yusuf Haji descend on Kapedo, Turkana County in what the media reported as a fact-finding mission in a bid to address the insecurity challenges facing the region. The place, without a doubt, grabbed national psyche thanks to the infamous killing of 21 police officers some time last year.

As expected, the aftermath was more of a reactionary gesture than a concrete move to eliminate the deadly virus bedeviling the area. The President's impromptu visit to the area didn't restore order either.

Though recent killings targeting security officers and locals may pass as the usual 'banditry-related deaths' that characterize northern Kenya in general, and Turkana and West Pokot Counties in particular, several points could help us figure out where the trouble is.

The media has, with all due respects, veered off the road by resorting to churn out half-baked stories branding the lawlessness in the area as mere cattle-rustling involving some ‘illiterate gun-wielding bandits’ even when dynamics have totally changed and new econo-political thinking has come to the fore to shape the 'tussles' we witness up there.

Perhaps this can be blamed on the vastness of the area and the amount of efforts needed to unearth the volumes of stories related to these endless conquests. But still some questions linger: Could there be real stories behind the usual banditry stories? Don't pastoralists' lives matter to warrant our national outrage and attention? Or are the actors involved too powerful to be exposed?

(In)security paradigms in Kenya seem to be shaped by dominant economic activities in each particular area. Media reports and government strategies too tend to be inseparable from what can be described as the perceived outcome attached to particular places. ‘Low-potential areas’ tend to receive  little/no state attention as opposed to ‘High-potential areas’.

Let's explain. We have been accustomed to believe that cattle-rustling is a mere act of theft and not robbery with violence just because it happens somewhere away from the capital. This, to be straight, is where we fail to link 'banditry' to greed for newfound natural resources in the area.

To get a clear perspective of what actually happens on the ground, let's map out the worst-hit areas in Turkana. Kapedo boasts of geothermal potential, proximity to Lokichar and Lokori oil basins. Kainuk sits on rich unexploited agricultural lands, has a favourable climate, a national game reserve, a strategic geographical position and a permanent river. Lorogon borders the Turkwel hydro-electric power plant and also boasts of agricultural potential. 

A quick analysis of the strategies used by 'bandits' in the recent past reveals a rather scary scheme by people hell-bent at causing more pain on a poor population. They ambush, hit and kill and go. Livestock comes as a second thought. These places have been reduced to open air prisons where people no longer move out freely, till their land or even graze their livestock. The key intention is probably to instill fear on the people and instigate mass exodus out of the areas.

Now, connect all these to claims that certain places (perhaps the ones cited above) are 'illegally' occupied by certain communities allegedly attributed to some political figures and you get the real picture of this unreported 'banditry'.

Some leaders have come out openly to claim ownership of areas where you would hardly find their constituents. Kapedo comes to mind. A quick look at this disputed area gives a glimpse of the undercurrents that trigger tribal hatred between Turkanas and Pokots.

People have been 'weaponized' to advance the interests of faceless figures seeking to reap big from the region's natural wealth. It is this greed that fuels killings. Cattle theft is far detached from it. 

It is expansionism per se laced with high-level greed for resources!

Which beggars many questions: For how long shall we remain pigeon-holed to believe media's and government’s common narrative that banditry is to blame for killings in northern Kenya? Where is the boldness of those who claim to stand for Kenya to stand up and demand that these faceless expansionists be revealed and punished?

Let's remember that these regions are still part of Kenya. Their troubles will eventually hurt us all if we fail to act now. Confront these greedy expansionists and peace and prosperity will reign within our borders. Honesty and clear-mindedness are needed to achieve this. 

Lemukol Ng'asike is an Architect. Email:  lemoseh89@gmail.com.  Twitter:  @mlemukol. 

Of Kootoro School And Community: Vanquish Illiteracy Through Them

                     

The opening of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama on July 4, 1881 brought to light very interesting lessons on community empowerment, the place of target communities (beneficiaries) in the process of materializing their thoughts and the significance of the guiding spirit that flows from those spearheading and/or sponsoring such empowerment programs. 

Tuskegee Institute was a culmination of a vision of Booker T. Washington, an African-American educator, author and orator, whose belief on people's participation on their own progress played a great part in putting into perspective some aspects that will, probably, be of great importance to us in our fight against school-lessness in Kenya. 

His philosophy was underpinned on the understanding that communities - poor or rich, schooled or unschooled, developed or under-developed - are the custodians of their own destiny hence their input in shaping the same is indispensable. That with self-help, communities are bound to go from poverty to success.

Several parallels can be drawn from this ‘Washingtonian intervention’ and the push behind Kootoro school.

Fast forward to Kootoro Mixed Primary School in Turkana County. This is a school devoid of any tangible form that can pass a test for a REAL SCHOOL. The school lacks classrooms, adequate teaching and non-teaching staff yet many positive factors have pushed it to the limelight to serve as the focal point for community-driven initiatives.

Upon a closer look of the existing structures, it dawned on us that even 'the unschooled know the value of education and are ready to invest in it'. The local community under the guardianship of Mr. Thomas Lotiki, the school's head-teacher, has put up temporary structures to serve as classes. 

From their 'little' contribution, the message came out clearly: That no amount of scarcity of resources should prevent their children from getting an education.

Which brings us to our central point: How can we be part of this noble initiative? How can we help this community create its own 'Tuskegee'?

We have, together with the community embarked on a process of making this vision as clear as possible and to create a room for all concerned souls to chip in and be part of the great march to full development of our poor brothers and sisters.

So far, we are in the process of drafting a proposal and a working plan for the full realization of this vision. On top of our agenda is to respond to the immediate demands of the community - that of setting up temporary structures to serve as classrooms.

Upon completion, we plan to put up permanent classrooms, staffroom and head-teacher's office, a kitchen and sanitation blocks for both teachers and pupils.

However, this vision is inseparable from the support this community wants. They long to get a school of their own but they are shortchanged by the grinding poverty bedeviling their day-to-day undertakings. 

It is at the backdrop of this that we believe that it falls upon our shoulders to uplift these people from their current state and at the same time acknowledge their contribution and ownership of the initiative.

Just like Booker T. Washington, we make our cardinal rule to take part with the poor, the unschooled, and the marginalized in their pursuits to success by respecting and preserving their dignity. This is informed by our belief that humanity finds refuge in those who acknowledge the centrality of collective participation in socio-economic interventions. Our hope to achieve this is banked on education. Yes, education for all!

Kootoro Mixed Primary School is one of the many cases in need of this intervention. Are you ready to stand with humanity and make Kootoro Mixed Primary School stand? 

To declare your stand, please click here :  https://secure.changa.co.ke/myweb/share/3602 .For more information about the school, kindly follow this link:  http://lemukolwords.blogspot.com/2015/01/needed-stand-with-this-school-to-make.html  

By Kootoro School and Community, Mumbi Kaptere, James Hughes, Thomas Lotiki and Moses Lemukol.

Is Boniface Mwangi The 'Mad Man' That Kenya Needs?

Boniface Mwangi

When Kenya's history shall be written, I have no doubt the form of 'activist madness' espoused by one of our own, Bwana Boniface Mwangi, shall be solidly anchored in it. Equally I believe the names of Boniface Mwangi and his comrades-in-struggle have already found their rightful position in the Kenya's pantheon of modern day change-makers.

This is why, I think, he (and his comrades) hold the qualifications of the 'mad man' Kenya has always longed to get.

First let's revisit some quasi-change-inducing philosophies to locate the correct place of Kenya and her people in the March to Self-examination and inclusive development, why we haven't reclaimed that place and what is demanded of us to be where we want.

Reading revolutionary politics and philosophies and their relations to socio-political change evokes some interesting perspectives which I feel will help us decipher the 'fire' behind the 'madness' of Mwangi and his ilk.

One: Socio-political change doesn't pop up in a day. It is a bitter process that must be fired by thoughts and energies of committed men and women.

Two: Presence of a 'mad wo/man' to spearhead this change is needed. Change is inherently rooted in human beings. However, an inbuilt fear within people negates this pro-change push residing in their hearts. This is why the presence of 'mad wo/men' is indispensable.

Three: Though folks might seem to be in opposition to robust engagement geared at inducing meaningful change and confronting entrenched malaise in the society (the kind of activism attributed to Boniface Mwangi), a closer examination of their leanings reveals that they are indeed in support of this type of activism. It is double standards per se.

The obstacle is simple: They don't want to make their stand known for fear of the unknown or they simply want to be seen as 'good, civilized and non-violent'.

They will rather keep their opinions hidden for fear of being associated with 'mad, unprincipled men like Boniface Mwangi' and live in a state of constant nagging than coming out and demand a total relook of issues.

The interesting thing with this group is that they are ready to act only when their interests are touched – (say, when their salaries are chopped, their properties stolen or other ‘unlawful’ acts directed to them).

Or when the prevailing subject matter (like the Lang'ata Primary School fiasco) is bound to gain prominence. They crave for recognition, you see!

And this is where Boniface Mwangi and his brigade come in. These chaps, I must confess, are the best social observers I can pinpoint so far in Kenya. An examination of Mr Mwangi's street interventions for the past three years gives a glimpse of what creative demonstration of mobilizing power this son of Kenya has.

Take the 'Parliament intervention' protesting against MPs' move to hike their pay, for instance. By marshaling his troupes in publicly condemning 'MPigs', the guy did not miss an inch to pass the message across. It was clear even to the numskulls, to the sworn enemies of public engagement, to the MPs and to the world that high-level greed has no place in Kenya - and the world.

Fast forward to the Lang'ata Primary School intervention. It was clear what happened there left a bitter taste in the government's mouth. The State was caught pants down. It could not justify gassing children for demanding what is rightly theirs.

Then came the game-changer. All schools in the republic got a fresh lease of life. A process to map them and issuing of Title-Deeds is now underway thanks to the 'madness' of a few people and little children.

The real gift of our time is the 'constructive madness' of our brave youths. Gassing, high-handedness, empty condemnations, apathy and unresponsiveness won't curtail the flow of positive energy from this 'madness'.

The question thus is: How many 'mad men and women' are found in Kenya to continue Boniface Mwangi's 'madness' and pull Kenya out of entrenched fear? 

Comrade Mwangi keep this close to your heart: Forget the noises of those who see no positives in your works. They are prisoners of their inbuilt fear. They don't want to 'taint' their 'good books'. Kenya badly needs people like you to exorcise this fear.

Lemukol Ng'asike is an Architect. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com. Twitter:  @mlemukol.