Poverty in Luo Nyanza 9th May 2009
As we salute Jacob Zuma on his inauguration as the 3rd Democratically elected President of South Africa, we must be all agreed that poverty is very rampant in Luo Nyanza. Is it not time enough we looked at the genesis of this poverty, the calibre of leadership that we have had since Independence, and chat the way forward? For development, is it not time we interrogated our leadership?
If we decide to be honest in tackling this issue, as it is said in the Good Book, truth shall set us free. I bet it is time the people of Luo Nyanza faced the hard facts and lived with it.
Just slightly before Independence, the Luo were marshaled for creation of an economic block under the aegis of Luo Thrift and Trading Company. The drive was a big success, not for the Luo, but for those who moved the agenda of Luo Thrift and Trading Company. That was slightly before and after Independence.
In the early nineties, again, the Luo were moved under the aegis of some company that was fronting to buy the then moribund Molasses Plant. Again, like the Luo Thrift, this became a venture that put business, big business into the hands of the movers of this agenda. The drive was a big success, not for the Luo, but for those that moved this agenda.
In the two cases, the Luo as a community was used as a door mat to enrich a cartel. The masses remained poor.
Back to the period just before Independence, the British asked the Late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga to form government. He refused on grounds that the late Jomo was the light of Kenya and no leadership would be given to none other than Jomo Kenyatta. Mzee Kenyatta went on to become the first Prime Minister and later the first President of Kenya.
Fast forward to 2002, Kenyans were ready and willing to remove Mzee Daniel arap Moi from leadership and the time was ripe for change. Hon Raila Odinga, son of Jaramogi, against all odds proclaimed Mzee Kibaki as Tosha. Mzee Kibaki went on to become the 3rd President of Kenya.
Like Jaramogi was shunted from leadership only two years after Independence, Raila was also shunted from leadership only two years into the presidency of Mzee Mwai Kibaki. Like father, like son. They had their chances to lead Kenya, and they all shied away from leadership then the people they fronted, chased them away from leadership.
Come to 2007, Kenyans overwhelmingly voted for Raila Odinga to be President of Kenya. The elections were kind of interfered with and Mzee Kibaki was declared the President and within 15 minutes, he was being sworn in at dusk. The irony was that many people seem to have been assembled to witness the swearing in ceremony. It means that it was planned.
The people revolted and the world came to our rescue and gave Raila 50% of this government. He refused to take it and chose to leave the people behind as he went to government alone. He left his troops and moved into enemy territory. They terrorized him so ruthlessly that when he got some breather, he remembered the people. When he had the chance to move with the people, he chose to move alone. When things became elephant for him, he remembers the people.
No. It is not done like this. Which honest General will forget his troops when food is on the table? You then think of your troops when you have eaten your fill and have nothing to give them? No. That is not leadership. That is puking on our shoes.
With the afore going, can we as a Luo community look at the factors that are obtaining and come up with a clear approach to politics.
I think we have been used. And I think the poverty in Nyanza is induced.
Since Independence we have been religiously electing leaders every 5 years. What have these leaders done to help the Luo?
With the biggest fresh water lake in the world bordering the Luo, what initiatives have our leaders made to empower the common man with the lake? What efforts have our leaders, since Independence, made to make fishing beneficial to our people? How can we harvest fish in Lake Victoria and transport the same all the way to Thika for processing?
Do we need to blame the government for the ineptness of the leadership that we elect by ourselves? How come it is so easy to marshal the Luo to contribute to personal outfits like the Luo Thrift and Trading Company, and again for the purchase of Molasses Plant? But when institutions like Kenya Breweries and Kicomi are closed in Kisumu, the Luo are not marshaled to raise a voice! When the rice irrigation scheme at Ahero collapses, the Luo are not being marshaled to have it reinforced!
No. Poverty is being used to subjugate our people. We are being fed on hot air as our leaders scramble for food. The Luo are being kept perpetually on political rallies at the expense of development.
What efforts have our leaders made to open the infrastructure around the lake? What initiatives have our leaders made on irrigation? What efforts have our leaders made to marshal the people into co-operative societies? What efforts have our leaders made on education? What efforts have our leaders made to bring Rural Electrification around Luo Nyanza? What efforts have our leaders made to have enough hospitals built in Nyanza?
I want to believe that time has come for the Luo to self liberate and partake of the National Cake. Our leaders have been eating on our behalf and they have eaten for so long that they have forgotten that we are out waiting. For how long will our leaders use the Luo as trading and bargaining chips?
The Luo have had three wasted chances all begging for National Leadership and the people we fronted did not rise to the occasion. They chose the easy way out.
If we can have two centres of power at the National Front, we can have the same at the Regional Front as well.
If leadership means doing nothing for your people, then the Luo have a very long way to go. And do not blame it on Kenyatta, Moi, Kibaki or the government. Kikulacho ki nguoni mwako. [Garbage in, garbage out].
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarock Nairobi.
– – –
Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 10:06:15 -0700 [12:06:15 PM CDT]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
You are right, okecth,did you read about Hon Raila reply about development in Nyanya, is it true he said,he was not responsible,I was shocked.
I want you to travel around the country,poverty is the same,in the rural areas in central , nyanza, riftvalley,cost.namne.I now the poverty in Kisumu,no devlopment.
During Kenyatta and moi times its very few people who became very rich,every kenyan knows them,It was about keeping the mps in every part of kenya to ensure and deliver the votes.land,contracts,10% to afew. Very well planned and it worked. keep the masses in poverty.so that they can obey.
Pass through Baringo District, efter 24 yrs of Moi Rule, no water,people live in grass/mad houses.keep them begging long enough,and keep the power.
President Moi worked as A president for 5 yearsfor all Kenyanstoo,then worked for himself and friends, Moi started Alot off projects.He built alot off schools,Nyayo wards,roads,hospitals,mostly Riftvalley and Central.I think Moi bacame very angry efter the coup,because he was trying very hard.
I think people as to blame too,we get alot off children,and alcoholism.We should take some responsibility,every kenyan should go to college,not getting children efter primary or secondary,keep away from inressponble sex
President Moi works very hard even now,very displine individual.Lets hope he can return back some to his poor people in time of need.famine,etc.
Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 10:15:49 -0700 [12:15:49 PM CDT]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
In Central Province, Mungiki have taken over due to bad leadership. Do we wait for the youths in Nyanza to also form a Mungiki outfit?
Food for thought though. Lets explore some more…..
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarock Nairobi.
— On Sun, 5/10/09, Migori Clan wrote:
From: Migori Clan
Subject: Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009, 3:02 AM
Your arguments on the course of poverty are genuine, perhaps not enetirely new. Many people have diagnozed Nyanza’s problems in terms of leadership. But leadership alone is not enough derteminant or cure for poverty.
Nyeri, Muranga, parts of the Rift Valley, Ukambani, North Eastern etc that have largely been part of the ruling regime, never lifting a finger against anything have been deepnding on relif food , have perhaps more poverty than Nyanza. The mercy Train has not come to Nyanza, has it. Tha ti snot to say that Nyanza is not poor.
The measuring rod for causes of poevrty in my view needs to be lengthened to include the attitude of the people, the failure or the design by the government over the years to invest in infrastructure development, human resource flight, failure by many Luo enterprenuers to invest back home etc.
I see the risk of your arguments, like many others, falling into the all too familiar path of blaming the leaders when the people are not doing much to help themsleves despite available opportunities. What will the leaders do to convince a fisherman, cane farmer or even a top level executive at NGO or government to stop being extravangant, consumerist and bent the believe of here and now- drinking, and having good time, living large and not thinking on investment?
I am yet to know of any community or part of the Kenya where the leader have a one to one touch with their voters to tutor them on fiscal discipline or invetment. This must be a personal and proactive venture.
The collective Luo psyche has been to wait for the political kingdom to sort them out. I submit that this is at the root cause of the proble.
There are fortunately an emerging crop of Luo enterprenuers who are not complaining incessantly about the political leadership but have decided to do something within the limited space they have.
Political liberation may tranlate to economic prosperity but only if the people also feel determine to do something rather than wait for the leaders to drop manna from the political kingdom.
True the leaders have been a let down. But that is an entrire Kenyan problem. If the leaders in central Kenyan had sorted out the poverty issue, we would not see the hordes of young men joing Mungiki to protest unemployment and economic disenfranchisement that has led to the may hem and will continue to do so.
If Moi sorted out poverty in the Rift Valley and all the other poverty causing causes like the land question within his 24 year eign, we would not have seen the bloody quarrel over resources in the post election period.
The situation in Nyanza is bad but not grim as people try to paint it. Let us all do what we can at our levels and spaces as we demand service- witnin reasonable expectation- from the leaders.
Continue the dialogue but let us not paint a hopeless picture.It is not true Nyanza is the poorest province. That is part of the lie perpetuated by government statistics. If so why dont they allocate enough resources?
Oloo Janak.
The Luo community is blessed with naturally bright people but they are all focussed on good grades and getting employed.they are not risk takers,they are not investors.they are made to be office employees.and all the jobs are in the hands of one community both govt. jobs and privately owned co. jobs.They own the companies and will employ whoever they choose.They work as a team on issues business.The Luos can’t do/won’t do business,are very jealous of a fellow Luo’s achievements,sabotage any good intentioned acts to help people,and since they all consider themselves bright,it is normally difficult to agree on one persons idea on any project hence most projects don’t kick off.if Luos could concentrate their business efforts the way they do for funerals, things would be different.there is strength in unity,ask the kikuyus or the kisii’s who get billions from their relatives in USA and invest.Luos will remain slaves as long as they don’t do business and get business deals for each other.am an employee in an office of both Luos and kikuyus.Truth is the people who are hurt the most when promotion comes my way are my very own brothers and sisters.they like it when they are the only Luos up the ladder and every other Luo is down,unlike the kikuyu.Recently, on my first visit to yimbo i was amazed at the large acres of uncultivated land just a few kilometres from the largest fresh water lake in africa.i almost thought i was in maasai mara and not Luoland.those people can simply approach banks to get money for developing such vast fields.but they are too afraid of loans.they’d rather die poor than get a loan to develop.am Luo and proud to be one,but we must rise up and compete in business.we must invest.if we don’t then others will enslave us for life in our own land.
There is nothing wrong with Kenyans from Nyanza exerting pressure on our leaders pertaining development in Nyanza though blaming individual or individuals should not be the way forward. The infrastructure in Kisumu ‘City’ is pathetic. But what should we do? I don’t think our leaders will call for forums in Nyanza to discuss poverty levels and how we could overcome the same. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other organized groups should arrange as many forums as possible to discuss poverty and how it can be eradicated. We used to have poverty eradication commission headed by someone from Nyanza. Is it still operational? Did it have any impact in Nyanza?
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 20:46:41 0300 [12:46:41 PM CDT]
From: Robert Alai
Subject: Odhiambo Oketch, Crap is Crap.
think I must respond to you. I will be as civil as I can muster.Odhiambo, say the truth. Being civil you must be and you might be having your own definition of civility
First, how does my family come in? I have a lot of respect for my wife,
my son and my two daughters. I also had a lot of respect for my late
parents. I also have a lot of respect for my siblings. In an argument,
we stay with the issues. We do not jump to mundane matters. Like, I do
not want to know about your family in this matter, please keep my
family out of these debates.Your family comes in because you cant change the whole world while your family is languishing in poverty. Its like a witchdoctor telling us that he will multiply for us our money while he has nothing to eat. why dont you start with yourself
Secondly, when we look at issues as they affect the community, we are
not seeking for any favours. I have been involved in several debates
for and against Raila. I campaigned for his presidency with all my
heart because I believed that he stood with us. My reform credentials
are well known. I take on topical issues with a clear conscience. I
seek no favours with my take on issues. And that is very clear from my
postings.Odhiambo, thats very cheap. Your reform credentials are reform credentials for convenience. Kwani you have better reform credentials than Martha Karua, James Orengo, Paul Muite, Gitobu Imanyara? Opportunists will always praise themselves. Let people talk about your good credentials and not you trying to please yourself
I met with him on several occasions and I made my point clear on the
change agenda. From the available cast, Raila remains my hero. He is
the only one who has some change agenda for the country and it is our
duty to steady the ship. But when he looses a step, I will be very firm
in helping him not to falter. I will not wait for him to fall and then
join cowards in ululations. I will do something. Some will laugh and do
nothing.There is nothing you help Raila with and Raila is neither my hero nor my role model. I have bnetter ones to look to and so these raila crap dont wash with me. (another insult).
I am in this ship with him, so I will not let him capsize the ship. I
will prod him to remain faithful to the change agenda, and as they say,
charity begins at home.Yes Charity begins at home and thats why you must wipe poverty from your home and then come and tell us how you want to wipe poverty from Luos
Thirdly, in debates, and pupils are taught how to debate at class 4, we
must never always degenerate to low levels. We must at all times
maintain high standard in debates and stick with the issues. If we are
not capable to stick with the issues, we are not worth ourselves and it
ceases to be called a debate. It becomes a mudsling.It depends on which school you went to and if your mother didnt start teaching you debating from home how can a primary school teach you debating? When you speak nonesense its nonesense whether you want to call it the gospel or whatever. Crap is crap
When we become abusive, engage in trivia and address mundane matters
instead of debating, then we surely must have a problem. At such times,
it ceases to be a communal problem. It becomes a personal problem best
addressed by the person, either by going to school if one is still
young enough, or joining the Adult Education classes. Mzee Maruge is
doing it and soon, he might become an accomplished debater.Why dont you join Mzee Maruge and know that charity begins at home and so you will never change me nor wipe away poverty from my home when you cant wipe it from your family
I will hence not give you the pleasure that you have always had with
many people where you become abusive instead of sticking to the facts
and debating.
I do not suffer such intellectual menopause.The fact is that you are past your menopause of ideas and its good you look for some menopause healing with crap now looking like facts to youAlai Onyango
Uncut / Unedited
On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 12:56 PM, odhiambo okecth wrote:
Robert,
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarock Nairobi.
— On Sun, 5/10/09, Robert Alai wrote:
From: Robert Alai
Subject: Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009, 11:44 PM
Odhiambo
There is no way you will change Luos when you cant change your family.
STart removing poverty from your family and then come and tell us that
you will change your Luo Nyanza. And I wonder if Luos are the poorest
in Kenya. There are communities in Kenya who are very very poor. Why
not start with them? Or are you still trying to be a tribal
chauvinist.
You are looking for favours in the wrong way bro and its a very cheap
way. Others might try to beg you and make you think you are talkingg
sense. The fact is that what you wrote there are crap you can choose
what you call it but the English were not sstupid to have the word
“crap” in a dictionary.
Alai
— On Sat, 5/9/09, n`otiya wrote:
From: n`otiya
Subject: [KOL] Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 11:57 AM
-Odhis,
I am in very high spirits ( as I graduated yesterday and still on a celebration mood….)
A couple of points:
– I would prefer we look at development ( or lack of it) at the national level …North Eastern,Nyanza e.t.c.
– People deserve the leaders they elect, so it is said
– The political system of patronage, boot licking and kow towing to the leadership should be replaced by:
a) A system that nominates / appoints individuals to leadership positions based on merit, experience and accomplishment
b) A system that ensures:
– The economy / resources are enough to support the needs of citizens
– The allocation / distribution of these resources are left to institutions ( not an all powerful individual) to ensure they are equitably distributed.
My point: The economic problems affecting Nyanza / Kenya are well known and fully documented. I think what we need are actions / action plans to right these wrongs.
n`otiya
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 16:19:33 0000 [11:19:33 AM CDT]
From: Joram Odus
Subject: Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Robert
Leaders are human beings just like all of us forks. They stand to be reminded, criticised and corrected when they are falling by the way side. They are NOT all knowing, ONLY God is. If we are truly genuine in our support and admiration for them, we must be prepared to put them to task on issues that matter to society, issues of development and integrity. We MUST remind them of their actions and omissions. Remember the old adage ‘ spare the stick and spoil the child’.
Poverty in Luo Nyanza can be attributed to many factors; such as poor leadership, destructive politics by successive governments, laziness by over 60% of the population, especially men and young people who idle around, drinking and ignoring the farms/land where all food/wealth come from, some migrate to urban areas where they live in unbearable conditions, abandoning the land because of false perception of urban lifestyle and many more.
I do think these are some of the issues we need to address. The starting point would be to better the lives of our immediate families and then the local community and so forth. The multiplying effect of this could be huge in a comparatively short period of time. ‘charity begins at home’.
JM
\
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 07:37:37 -0700
From: jbatec@ . . .
Subject: Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Omanyi,
Send details of the Youth and Women programs that are on air for reform program.
What I have read in newspaper is indication that there is but details how to acquire them and where they are or how they can be attained is not included. How can women and youth get full information how they can acquire those funding? What are the requirements for allocating funds.
You do not expect youth directly from school and women with skills but with no collatoral or title deeds can access funding. What restrictions keeps them from accessing these funds?
Please let us know details of what you know. Provide us with clear cut information so we can spread the word. You will be amazed from the response.
Thanks,
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
— On Mon, 5/11/09, WB Kyijomanyi wrote:
From: WB Kyijomanyi
Subject: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Date: Monday, May 11, 2009, 10:07 AM
Mr Odhiambo-Oketch:
Do not be deterred. But Kenya is actually trying to do something about poverty/youth issues. The government set up and operationalized a youth fund. It also set up a women’s fund. The govt has also directed that road construction should be labor intensive with priority going to youth in the areas. What is the intake with these programs? How effective are they in trying to mitigate poverty? Are youth responding or they still prefer to move to urban centers where they will live on the margins of society?
I recall reading from none other than Minister Nyongo when the poverty rankings came out-poverty rankings now have value since they mean more got transfers. Yet some are saying that such govt rankings are false in asserting that Luo Nyanza is the poorest. is poverty being politicized at the expense of the poor folks.
From my angle the youth are partly responsible for their misery. Kenya at least cares about its youth. Yes, you may not see it that way but do research and find out how many other African countries have set up a youth fund or insisted on labor intensive activities in the building sector.
Someone mentioned Mr Tuju, who came and made an impact. I hope he continues helping the women he was helping and completes the water project he started. To serve the people, one must not necessarily be an MP.
MPs are pretty much useless. They want voters poor so they can give them handout next time around.
Kenya politics may be messy but the govt is actually trying to do something for youth. I hope the youth do not sit around waiting for a perfect regime. It ain’t about to come.
WBK
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 21:00:23 0300 [01:00:23 PM CDT]
From: josiah ogalo
Subject: Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Ochwangi,
ur arguing with such ignorance my bro about poverty in Kenya. I believe poverty is a common blanket n doesn not chose tribe:there are poor kikuyus,luos,kisiis,kambas,luhyas,kalenjins,boranas,mijikendas,etc etc.just a visit to city slums will tell u all tribes reside within these precints! Anyone,anyone can be rich,educated or not,learned or not,just anyone can get rich. We live in a limitless opportunity world my brothers n sisters n poverty’s a choice!
Just 100 farmers can grow enough food to feed Kenya-{FAO}
The govt poverty index shuld help to tell nyanza MPs to stop a lot of national politiking n help in improving development back at home.
BTW,do you mean my success in life is determined by my MP?if i was to wait for direction from my MP,guess where I’d be!
Assignment:visit various parts of Kenya n interact with the various communities,see how the live,then come back we talk if there are variations in standards of living!
Regards
Josiah
On 5/9/09, David ochwangi wrote:
[Hide Quoted Text]
Very well said Otieno Sungu! I admire the spirit in which your views are balanced…Luos are no less intellectual than any other community in society, the world’s most powerful man has Luo blood in veins and yet Luos in Nyanza for the most part lag behind the nation in prosperity;why is that?
There is a clear and direct correlation between leadership and prosperity and I truly think Luos have vested too much of their destiny in just one family and have been unable to or simply refused to diversify their portfolio. We need new blood, new way of thinking, even if just to correct errors by the mighty among us. our people must be willing to accept alternatives otherwise we’ll always be a step or several steps behind the rest of society…think about it.
— On Sat, 5/9/09, otieno sungu wrote:
From: otieno sungu
Subject: Re: Poverty in Luo Nyanza
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 2:32 AM
Odhiambo,
I think the bigger problem is that Luo people have been conditioned to believe that they are Kenyan society’s conscience and must always be fighting the powers that be and support their politicians in these fights at the expense of development in Nyanza.
Luo Nyanza has produced notable and gallant nationalists and also reform minded leaders. However, these leaders pale into shadows when you start probing their policies to alievate poverty in the constituencies they represent. Orengo, Nyongo,Aringo,Kajwang,Prof. Ayiecho Olweny etc have all been vocal at the national front but what exactly is their immediate contribution to their constituents? Maybe they are good for civil society but not representatives of people.
How for instance, do they compare to Raphael Tuju or Ken Nyagudi and such other politicians who did not cling to the coat tails of Raila Odinga but had used the contacts they have both national and international to make an impact to the lives of their constituents?Which Luo Nyanza MP can compare to the two in terms of impacting on people’s lives?
It is time this trend is subjected to serious probity. I believe part of our strategy is to ask them to change tune and focus on first of all, fighting poverty in their constituencies and putting their constituents first before any other matter.
There is much they can do to fishermen cooperatives, mobilise fishermen not only to fish but also process their own fish and export for better yield.
Like you say, if Luos were mobilised to revive Molasses, why not mobilise them to build fish processing plants that will give them better returns and cut out the middlemen fleecing them? Jobs will be created,poverty fought and development enhanced.
Otieno Sungu.
Juba-Southern Sudan
Let us reject Raila and elect youthfull MPs who have not bribed Raila if we are to expect development.
Poverty is the epitome in today’s society not only in kenya but all around the Globe.The larger part of the kenyan population leaves in poverty,this has been contributed by the greedy politicians we keep on electing.So poverty is the talk not only in Nyanza but the whole world.
Our people have the greatest lake with fish which does not benefit our people, the interlect skills are there, creativity is at the highest level, everywhere think of the best tailor in town a luo, the best carpentor a luo, the best office worker fully determined a luo. What is wrong poor leadership has made us so, unless our people will come against and overturn these bad omen in our land poverty shall continue, education is a key let our children attain atleast a diploma level then we check at development 10 years . The problem is so many brains being wasted we cannot afford education for our children, altitude of our people need to change they cheris idleness, gossip and following after our politician without any thought of where they are taking us