Dear All,

The debate on MAU is assuming centrality with comfounding consequences. It is a bit more deep seated than is apparent. In my view MAU is about our collective concept of Mali Ya Umma or the embodiment of the public/common good. I hold the opinion that MAU is beyond the physical landscape or escarpment. It is an expression of how we treat our Natural Resources. These natural resources could be forests, rivers, lakes, minerals, human beings, animals (wildlife),water towers and etcetera. Do we safeguard promote or preserve our resources, assets and endowments or do we waste, pilfer, deplete and destroy our resources?

I therefore propose that we lift the MAU debate from the lower echelons of political interests and intrigues to the very higher levels of reason and principled dialogue. In this case we should ask basic questions namely;

1. How do we preserve the MAU with a unanimous resolve by ensuring that there are no political intrigues as well as un-intended victims. In my view there is need to understand the root causes of the MAU problem so as to avoid solving a problem by creating another. In this case, there is need for a systematic approach to the issues by ensuring that the poor settlers are afforded alternative settlement. Indeed this has all along been the understanding and therefore one wonders the emerging intrigues and sudden complexities.

2. In so far as the preservation and sound management of natural resources, there is need to ask whether a blue-print on natural resource management is imperative? And what arrangements do we need to put in place to ensure systematic replenishment of our resources. How do we ensure a completely green Kenya with permanent rivers and evergreen forests. How long will it take us to realize such a vision?

3. How do we ensure that the MAU debate does not shift public attention from equally important processes such as the constitutional review process, TJRC and other agenda four items? It suffices to remember that the Bomas process was sacrificed at the very alter of political brinkmanship and associated intrigues. There is need to understand the political question in constitution making so as to avoid creating polemics that will attract un-intended political show-downs, calculations and cut-throat competitions

4. In my view there is need to make a radical departure from the culture of Kenyans destroying other Kenyans into Kenyans building other Kenyans so that we prevail over these marauding vested interests that are assuming centrality in peoples lives at alarming dimensions. Adding insult to injury doesnot augur well for Kenya at this point in time especially putting into perspective the pain the country went through since the 2005 referendum to date. No Kenyan should be a victim of reckless schemes. It is important to remember that MAU saga is a consequence of poor policy formulation and corruption in high offices. Where were the forest officers during these painful encroachments? Environmental regeneration constitutes an inescapable imperative and the need for systematic approaches cannot be gainsaid. Yes we must preserve, conserve and regenerate MAU but do so we must with a human face. Best wishes always,

Ochieng M.K
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“We can nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth” Abraham Lincoln