Folks,

Speaking for the majority voiceless women, and in highlighting Women’s concerns, It is about time the World take a closer look and step in to provide immidiate Financial Assistance to the women and the Youth of Kisumu in Kenya in an inclusive Growing Market Strategic Development Program. UNDP has recently released information on how businesses may include the global poor as potential customers and how the global poor might benefit from collaborating more closely with businesses in Creating Value for All in the Popular Participation Community Program. This Community Development Program is in essence Regional or Jimbo Trading Initiatives. The Kisumu Women and Youths of Kenya have in the past been constantly left out of meaningful development funding or Pilot Scheme. Coupling with the recently stolen flawed election that brought about destruction of houses and deaths of many, Kisumu and the rest of Nyanza fell deeper into serious poverty lacking the most essential goods to live a normal life.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a blueprint to guide the private sector in Kenya. The sector is expected to partner with the poor through business initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation.

The Plan of Action ‘strategies for doing business with the poor’ has been developed in conjunction with the United Stated Agency for Development (USAID) and is aimed at boosting the involvement of less privileged members of society through innovations and how it can translate to income as well as boost Small or Start-up Entrepreneurship. Teaming up with Private Businesses can be success story when aimed to overcome the most common obstacles faced by the poor in today’s serious poverty.

The poor have the Talent or Skills which are ready tools necessary to team up with established businesses companies to expand traditional business practices by bringing on board the poor as partners towards economic recovery and expansion. Under the UNDP Private Sector Strategy, the Growing Inclusive Markets (GIM) program simple business venture will tackle the immediate condition of extreme lack of basic needs. This will help along way in realizing the Millenium Development Goals faster within this popular participation. This is a facilitated platform to engage all participating actors in the Business Model so that the pursuits of profit and human progress can work to mutual advantage and spark Social and Economic CHANGE to an improved life.

There is urgency to raise awareness and provide information on how businesses, in collaboration with the government and Civil Society can contribute to human development and realization of the Ratified Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The guidelines in the report seek to inspire and provoke the private sector into action, showing how businesses can get engaged through partnerships with the masses to achieve development.

For instance, in Teaming with the government and other sectors as players, micro-financing should be developed through Constituency Community to stimulate small trading undertakings which directly touch on many poor in areas such as:-

1) Water, Environment and Sanitation
2) Farm Produce and Nutrition Food to include honey
3) Village Clinics and dispensaries for Health
4) Promotion of Music for Entertainment and for Religious Praise and Warship
5) Education Exchange Programs and Distance Learning
6) Rural Computer Learning and Computer Kiosks
7) Construction and Road Maintenance
8) Tourism
9) Fishing Industry
10) Transportatio
11) Retail Business to both Women and Youth
12) Development Banks

The poor can benefit immensely from doing business directly with Private Sector, and could be integrated in the cash flow economy which aims at wider distribution of wealth and income. Public-Private Partnership alliance programme aims at business activities that simulates income for the poor for basic needs.

The poor have a large untapped energy potential and resources for consumption and distribution as well as skills and talents for innovative production within the entreprenuerial activities. The more business integrated including the poor as partners the more the economic growth, the more fulfilment of The Millenium Development Goals.

Women as the Mainstream Players.
In order to overcome obstacles, women should be given opportunities to push for progress.

African women’s fundamental contributions in food production systems needs to be incorporated and supplemented.

Government Ministries must subsidize for their efforts in the contribution to domestic economic inputs and national economies are increasingly acknowledged from women’s inputs. At both grassroots and national levels they have not been documented as inclusion in the National Economy. Women have in the past proved to have energetic efforts to organize, articulate their concerns and make their voices heard with little or no impact from the Leadership. They have also been used as voters by politicians but get very little reward. They are now pressing for an expansion of women’s economic and social opportunities, and the advancement of women’s rights. I speak for the majority voiceless. We are now fired up to DEMAND TO BE HEARD because we have the the dynamism we have displayed in the economic, cultural and social lives of the communities through associations and informal networks are now channelling into creating new models of participation and leadership by improving our own positions. This will eventually strengthen African society as a whole, as well as enhance continent’s broader development prospects.

In the demand for private sector financing of entrepreneurship it has been due to several factors, including:

a) Lack of government financial resource allocation to women’s development Agendas
b) Government’s non-commital to Stimulant incentive aid to poor families
c) Government’s non-commital to Traditional and Cultural noms that are cruel to women and are seen as Human Rights Abuse like women inheritence, acqusition of lands etc.,
d) Lack of Improved methods of Entreprenuership to meet Trading challenges
e) Lack of collatoral to acquire funding
f) Lack of Government’s goodwill and political enabling environment

Despite the existence of a large number of potential UN and Non-Governmental programs or Pilot Projects, significant numbers of project deals and funds do not reach some Regions like Kisumu (Nyanza) which in many cases are marginalized and are now facing abject serious poverty and hunger, lacking in the most fundamental essentials one needs to live a reasonable life.

It is for the above reason why Networking for Entrepreneurship and Trading will be something about time the Women and the Community of Nyanza embark on Globalization of Trading and merchandizing through Private Sector initiative which will help acquire UN Millenium Development Goals within the time frame.

Consequently, I support and will continue to forster activities that will compliment Global networking entrepreneurship and business trading to the realization of UN Millenium Development Goals Agenda as well as UN UNDP Business Initiatiative in Creating Value for all.

Thank you,

Judy Miriga
USA

NB:
Economic Poverty is the cause of all evil. Wife beating will be a thing of the past. Lets work together for a better peaceful future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j5CeHyzZKI&feature=related

Nyanza Jimbo Economic Conference coming up in August 7-8 2007
Posted in June 27th, 2008
by Editor in Majimbo Debate, Nyanza

( File photo of Kisumu City,Nyanza Jimbo Hqs) ( Kisumu Hotel-Conference Venue)
The Nyanza Economic Conference will take place on 7-8 August 2008 at the Maseno University Kisumu Hotel.
The conference has been organized by the Nyanza Economic Forum, a non-partisan network of individuals, groups and organizations established to find strategic solutions to the social and economic challenges impeding Nyanza province.

The 2008 Nyanza Economic Conference aims to provide a unique platform for projecting practical pathways for elevating the region into an investment hub. The recent launch of vision 2030 by the Government of Kenya and the infrastructural improvement set to commence in Nyanza, makes the region a prime investment destination. The Nyanza Economic Conference intends to attract participation from investors, development partners, government and individuals from the region to enable them to reap maximum benefits from the available opportunities.

The dream of every Kenyan of living a quality life and having economic success as enshrined in the GOK Vision 2030 motivated the members of Nyanza Economic Forum to play a role in ensuring that the region plays its role in achieving these noble national goals. The Conference will put the spotlight on Nyanza province as a frontier for a diversity of investments. Being the third largest city in Kenya, Kisumu City is the economic center for western Kenya which offers enormous investment opportunities that seems to have been underutilized since independence.

Such areas include:
1) Finance,
2) Agriculture,
3) ICT,
4) Agro-processing,
5) Dairy,
6) Aqua-culture,
7) Mining, Hospitality,
9) Entertainment,
10) education,
11) Health,
12) water sports,
13) Media,
14) Real estate,
15) Manufacturing, etc.

Delegates are to be drawn from entrepreneurs and professionals, development partners, investors and government.

For more information contact:
Francisca Ogonda,
Judy Owuor,
Conference Secretariat
Tel:2542011928
Cell 254722650895
mailto:togoconsultants@africaonline.co.ke

9 users commented in ” Nyanza Jimbo Economic Conference coming up in August 7-8 2007 ” Follow-up comment rss or Leave a Trackback

Lucy Akinyi-Australia said,
in June 27th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

This is a right move towards the right direction.
I appeal to all luos to join hands and let us build our REGION.
To much politics will not put food at the table, it is hard-work and engaging the community to get Jembes and make wealth.

Jaramba- Asemo Republic said,
in June 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

What a mighty a idea ? Can someone give me more information about this group ?

Akinyi Nyarowilla-Mombasa said,
in June 27th, 2008 at 2:19 pm

I am comming makata koth ema ochwee.
Luos for years have been subjected alienated economically by the government, now that wuod Oganda omak wi thiang’ we must show Kenyans that we are not just josiasa or professional but we can as well compete economically through hard working.

Ojula JaSuba-Sweden said,
in June 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Majimbo-Nyanza editor, you have made me home sick.
What a pictorsque view of Kisumu City and Royale Hotel.
I wish could make it. Please, Fracisca and Judy keep us in touch. I would want to participate in future.

Suz Awino- said,
in June 27th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

May God bless home.

Domnic said,
in June 27th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

It has come at the right time when all luos have seen our failures.It is true the government has been out to frustrate us since independence. But our reaction to the frustration has been low level in the sense that no positive action from our people has been noticed.

History will judge us very harshly because we fail to turn frustration by the government as a motivator to overcome challenges as the jews, and other minorities who have gone through discrimination like luos in kenya.We had the most educated people in kenya at one time. They never utilised their education to overcome our problems.

Now,the all kenyans are laughing at us because our education is the lowest in the country a part from North Eastern. The educated luos we have do not care about their own people.They just care about their own family.

Though it is not late, we should all attend this meeting with open mind. Let us look critically
where we have failed and make a practical solutions. Again ,we should not include politicains at this stage because they always
look for their individual benefits.

Luos in diaspora will be very interested to be part of the participants from initial stage. Therefore, while discusing the agenda, you should create a department for them.You must include them .

We all support the iniator. Keep it up.

mangala f.muhanji said,
in June 28th, 2008 at 7:55 am

have never seen such wonderful event in any of the cities in Kenya,kindly keep it up, its doing to be well done job.how is the requirements to attend?we wish to be there.

Judy Miriga said,
in June 30th, 2008 at 4:30 am

Folks,
Good job well done! have my blessings and keep me informed.
Good Luck!!!
Judy Miriga
USA

HertScore said,
in August 2nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm

Thanks for posting

Nyanza Economic Conference 2008
University Hotel, Kisumu, Kenya – 7 & 8 August, 2008
Preliminary Programme (Day 1)

08h00-08h30 Registration, Tea/Coffee
08h30-10h00 OPENING SESSION (CHAIR: Mr Pete Ondeng’)
Opening & Introduction
• Mary Onyango, Chair, Nyanza Economic Forum
Official Welcome

• His Worship, Mr. Sam Okello, Mayor of Kisumu
Opening Remarks

• Mr. Paul Olando, Nyanza Provincial Commissioner
Keynote Address

• Hon. William Ruto, Minister for Agriculture
10H00 –10H30 Tea/Coffee
10H30-13H00 SESSION II: KEY SECTORS (CHAIR: Mr George Ooko)
10H30-11H00 FISH INDUSTRY: Nyanza’s Unexploited Lake Resources
• Hon. James Otuoma, Minister for Fisheries

11H00-11H30 FINANCIAL SERVICES: Reaching the Unreached
• Mr. Joseph Kwaka, Executive Director, Community Aid International
11H30-12H00 KENYA DEVELOPMENT FUND CORP (KDFC): The Diaspora’s Response to Investment in Nyanza
• Mr. Peter Odhengo and Mr. David Ndolo, KDFC-Kenya
12H00-12H30 AGRIBUSINESS: Towards Commercial Agriculture in Nyanza

• Dr. Peter Okoth, Project Manager, Tropical Soil Biology & Fertility Institute

12H30-13H00 MANGO PROCESSING and Value Addition for Increased Incomes
• Mr. Arshfod Njagi, Manager, GTZ—PSDA
13H00 –14H00 Lunch
14H00-17H00 SESSION III: KEY SECTORS (Cont.) (CHAIR: Ms Joyce Miguda Majiwa)
14H00-14H30 Vision 2030: Implications for the Development of Western Kenya

• Mr. David S. Nalo, PS, Ministry of East African Corporation
14H30-15H00 DAIRY: Proven Strategies for Small Producers
• Mr. Fred Ogana, Country Director, Technoserve
15H00-15H30 TOURISM: Can Nyanza be the Next Frontier for Tourism?
• Dr. Ongong’a Achieng, Managing Director, Kenya Tourism Board
15H30-16H00 SUGAR INDUSTRY: How to Maximize the Economic Impact of Sugar in Nyanza

• Mr. Martin Owiti Odero, Managing Director, Muhoroni Sugar Company
16H00-16H30 FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN KENYA: What Does Nyanza Need to Know?
16H30 -17H00 Tea/Coffee

• Mrs. Susan Kikwai, Managing Director, Kenya Investment Authority
17H00-18H00 Plenary Discussion (Joint Chairs: Mr. Goerge Ooko & Ms. J. M. Majiwa)
18h00-19h30 Cocktail/Reception (Sponsored by KCB, Short Speech, Martin Oduor Otieno)

21H30-22H30 SESSION IV: PANEL DISCUSSION (Coordinator, Mr. Pete Ondeng’)

21h30-22H30 Panel Discussion-live on Citizen TV: “Louis Otieno Live”; (Panelists below)
Nyanza Economic Conference 2008
University Hotel, Kisumu, Kenya – 7 & 8 August, 2008
(Day 2)

08H00-10H30 SESSION V: EMERGING EFFORTS & LESSONS LEARNT (CHAIR: Mr Joseph Kwaka)
08H00-08H30 The Proposed Lake View Resort City Initiative
• Mr. Ndevi Muli, Managing Director, Kenya Railways Corporation
08H30-09H00 How should the Private Sector Contribute to the Rural Nyanza Economy?
• Mr. Sunil Shah, Kisumu Businessman

• Ms. Josephine Omanwa, MD of Jonzavike Stationers & Bookshop, Kisii
09h00-09H30 The Pathway to Success: What should we know about success in Business?
• Mr. Fred Osewe, Proprietor, Ranalo Foods

• Mr. Hasmukh Dawda, Chairman, House of Manji
• Mrs. Munira Gilani, Director Fresh-foods Limited, Kisumu
09H30-10H00 Green Forest Social Investment Trust: The Case of Suba Green Initiative
• Dr. Kim Hartog, Green Forest Investment Trust

10H00-10H30 FINANCIAL SERVICES: Reaching the Unreached
• Mr. Martin Oduor-Otieno, Managing Director, Kenya Commercial Bank
10H30 – 11H00 Tea/Coffee Break

11H00-12H30 SESSION VI: THE ROLE OF MPS & CONCLUSIONS (CHAIR: Dr. PLO Lumumba)

11H00-12H00 Open Dialogue with Nyanza MPs.
12H00-12H15 Meeting Summary & Wrap Up-Dr. Peter Okoth

12H15-12H30 Way Forward – Mary Onyango, Chair, Nyanza Economic Forum
12H30-13H00 Closing Speech, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister
13H00 – Lunch

14H00-15H00 SESSION VII: MANGO PLANTING (CHAIR: Ms. Mary Onyango)
Selected Guests invited to plant mangoes in a Garden in Kisumu

Panel Discussion live on Citizen TV: (Louis Otieno Live)
Topic: “Putting Nyanza Back on a Path of Sustainable Development”
Time: Thursday Evening, 7th August, 9:30 pm

Panellists

· Hon. Dalmas Otieno, Minister for Public Service
· Prof. Stephen Agong’, Chairman, Kisumu Action Team
· Mr. Evans Kidero, MD, Mumias Sugar Company
· Ms Mary Onyango, Chairman, Nyanza Economic Forum.
· Ms. Betty Okero, Director, CSO Network (Kisumu)
· Mr Galib Tejpar, Director, Corner House Development Ltd. (Kisumu)

– – –
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 22:43:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Nyanza Jimbo Economic Conference coming up in August 7-8 2007