With arable land shrinking day by day, and with the increasing population; more mouths to feed, it is time leaders, governments and relevant policy makers thought outside the box in order to feed the large populations within their jurisdictions, by reclaiming junks of idle land in the so called semi-arid and arid areas.
The plan can be actualised by simply constructing water pans, dams and underground tanks which can be supplied with water from nearby sources using bowsers or pipes, as well as by utilizing the occasional rainfall, which otherwise goes to waste. This adequate water is then harnessed for irrigation farming livestock keeping with much success.
We can all attest to the fact that, land in these particular areas is virgin land, lying fallow since creation, with intact soil structure, humus and good amounts of mineral salts required for healthy crops. What lacks is water. Now that water has been sourced, the government should move with speed to ensure road network and other infrastructure are availed to link the people to their neighbours and and markets. With enough and constantly supplied water, the new farmers can grow all kinds of crops, ranging from water melons, grapes, cabbages, kales, maize, oranges, plantains, legumes such as beans, pineapples, chillies, onions fodder crops for dairy farming and much more. Some aquaculture can as well be practised for subsistence purpose as well for market, for those who may have more fish or simply won’t eat for personal reasons.
Agroforestry, will be the next level of turning round these arid areas. With water all is possible. The intercropping of food crops and eco-friendly trees that are fast growing varieties will greatly change ecosystem since the is adequate clean air. The green plants may attract some rain to these once forsaken places hence regulating temperatures. Flowers of some of these trees and those from many crops in the farms will attract bees and will be the start of bee keeping. Bee keeping is highly profitable undertaking. Pure honey is sold in grams whereby a gram goes for about $2 or even much depending on who is buying and where. Other bee products such as wax and propolis with fetch a fortune into the farmers’ wallet.
Poultry keeping will, as well, be key in turning around the areas. Poultry specifically chicken, will improve fortunes within a short time. Now that water is sufficient, the birds will not be affected by disease stemming from dirty environment. Pens can be kept clean and there will be plenty to drink. Eggs and meet will provide food and ready cash for farmers. Because of the expensive nature of the land the many farmers can produce tones upon tones of eggs and meet for export market concequently earning the country much needed foreign money. Farmers can form cooperatives of marketing societies with an aim of sourcing for markets as well as ensuring that the get the best price for profit.
Livestock keeping will be improved since there is plenty for the animals to eat throughout. Dairy farming can be ventured using the the fodder crops grown. Disease resistant breeds should be embraced by the farmers. The people can construct their creameries with the help of the government for value addition. The milk can then be packaged, branded and sold locally and internationally for increased income for farmers. With fodder beef cattle can be fed well in order to produce more quality meet for local and foreign market. Other than meat and milk, skins and hides will boost the income by supplying local and international markets. The leather industry will get a steady source of quality raw material hence creating jobs directly and indirectly to thousands of our citizens.
Hooves and horns are also essential raw materials in the glue and buttons’ industry. These products can be obtained I plenty therefore triggering industrial growth, which in the long run will create jobs at various levels of sub-sector. With the establishment of thesw industries, the nation is able to cut costs on imports, instead the money channeled to essential services band for the funding of capital investment that will boost the economy. A diverse economy will ultimately lead to improved living standars of all the people across the country within a short span.
The animal droppings, from cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, chicken and other livestock, will be used to enrich the soil for higher crop yields. The use of organic fertilizer from animals and plants will discourage the use of industrial fertilizers which go a long way poisoning the soil, hence killing vital microorganisms present in the soil, causing acidity, not forgetting the dire health implications food growth with such fertilizers can cause to human beings.
The droppings from the animals can also be used to obtain affordable clean and renewable energy in the form of biogas. Methane, the gas produced by a collection of animal waste can be poisonous if exposed to the environment, however, if well harnessed it can be used for cooking as clean green energy.
In a nutshell, the governments can easily transform hostile, inhabitable trucks upon trucks of land in bread baskets within no time, provided policies are put in place. Elected leaders should legislate and institute Proper policies, geared towards improving livelihoods of their citizenry.
Where there is a will, there is a way. It can be done.
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MEGA CORRUPTION SCANDALS: KENYA, A NATION SLIDING FAST INTO ANARCHY
The NYS recruits showcasing their skills
I was teaching my class four, a Social Studies topic on Conflict resolution, just the other day.
Class four learners, are mostly in their 9 or 10 years. Young, innocent but surprisingly, witty, discerning, analytical. Born in Nairobi, they are far much aware, knowledgeable than many a child in their age, this country.
I explained to them what is law, who makes laws and did not forget to tell them that law is sacrosanct in any society. Violation of the law leads to retribution, punishment or even banishment, in extreme cases. I did not forget, tell them that basic law includes their daily school routine. This is after I had just taught them, yet another emotive subject, about Democracy and Human Rights.
After discussing with them the causes of conflict and school and resolution mechanisms, I asked a simple question: “Do you, think law is well followed in our country?”
Those fond of chorus answers, or those who, maybe, could not clearly comprehend my query nodded their heads, some chorusing in, “Yeeeees!”
But one boy, remained quiet. Raising his left hand, which he writes with, said, “No teacher!”
Knowing that I was at least making a thinker, smilingly, I asked him to explain, why he was objecting.
“My father said that most of the money collected by the government is stolen, that’s why, we missed the Laptops, as promised by the government, in 2013. The people in government don’t care about us children whose fathers are not known by government. They steal. They steal… even… where we play… they want big hotels built in playgrounds.. … I hear they want even all Game Parks to be Hotels, soon, dad said, even wild animals will be a thing of the past…. Only to be seen in pictures… ”
I found a tear dropping down my cheek… a fumbled for my kerchief…
Confused, the other learners said “Sorry teacher!” the narrator was emboldened…. I had no need of mentioning NYS, NCPB and scandals…
Luckily the bell rang.
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ONGOING TRANSFERS OF TEACHERS BY TSC AN ACT OF PROVOCATION: KNUT
TSC Secretary Nancy Macharia
The tutors employer, the Teachers Service Commission, is again on a warpath. The current transfer of teachers across the country is likely to provoke the teachers through their unions, a situation likely to occasion an industrial action, which will see parents and learners suffer again, when the more that 350,000 educators down their tools.
Already, some branch officials are contemplating to conduct demos. One example is Nairobi city Branch, led by Executive Secretary Mugwe Macharia, Chairman Robert Karuma(known by teachers as Okonkwo), and the charismatic Treasurer Hannington Ochieng. Other than the transfers, teachers, the union’s are crying foul, the TSC has decided to drag it’s feet, as far as remitting of the monthly union dues is concerned; up to now, branch KNUT staffers are yet to be paid their salaries, two months and counting.
The TSC transfers, especially those of administrators: principals and their deputies, head teachers and their deputies and Senior teachers, have rubbed the teachers the wrong way, and the trade unionists are not spared a move the teachers representatives term as vindictive, punitive and unfair. A KNUT branch chair in one county, was transfered to a different county. There are cases of other union officials being transfered to far flung counties, from where they work and have family and business interests. Pundits have questioned the motive behind this scenario, given that, TSC knows well, that these officers belong to the union and are in leadership positions.
As if that is not enough, the teachers’ employer, is now picking ordinary classroom teachers and giving then administrative positions, as headteachers, deputies, Principals and deputy principals, and the promotions must be outside the teachers’ current work station, different counties.
Speaking to Robert Karume, a firebrand KNUT unionist and KNUT Nairobi Chairman, he said, “This is an act of provocation… How do you transfer a KNUT branch official, in the pretext that you are promoting national unity. That is blatant malice, aimed at killing our trade unions, as anchored in the Supreme law, the constitution. We can’t allow that. We’ll fight back”
“Let our national office, under our SG Sossion Sossion, avoid partisan politics and guide us on this issue, our voice is being strangulated, our teachers are suffering” he added
Talking to the Nairobi KNUT Executive Secretary, Mugwe Macharia, the amiable unionist was very categorical, that he will be meeting the TSC Nairobi operatives sooner, to argue for his members, who he said, that, by working in Nairobi, coming from different communities and counties, working in a cosmopolitan city, they are already delocalised and should not be touched, citing, that, this could jeopardize family ties, in cases where a spouse in affected by the same. This is after many classroom teachers working in Nairobi were mysteriously promoted and sent to far counties, away from their families.
Who will blink first on this matter, TSC or KNUT/KUPPET?
Interesting times ahead.
Mwalimu Miruka is a teacher and KNUT activist, in Nairobi. mirukaongoro931@gmail.com
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KENYA, RUNAWAY PUBLIC THEFT: TIME WE INTRODUCED EXECUTION OF THE CULPRITS IN PUBLIC, TO STEM THE VICE?
A Firing Squad(Courtesy)
The daily News about wanton misappropriation, mysterious and carefree handling of our public resources, and be it in the county or the National State corporations is not Sweet music to many a poor Kenyan.
Today you hear Kenya Power, tomorrow you hear Kenya Pipeline, next you National Cereals and Produce Board. Before you breathe, the notorious NYS has, yet again lost billions.
As the Englishmen say, the the Law is an Ass. The low profile “suspects” will be arraigned in court smilingly. Some, as the court proceedings are on going, they will smirk at the judge, media and the prosecutor while applying makeup. Meaning the magnitude of the economic crimes they have committed is just nothing but “smart hustling”
These people are usually bailed as they continue running the businesses and enterprises acquired through their dirty dark deals involving outright public coffers financial hemorrhage.
Then, their senior most shadowy state accomplises, will handle the rest. Using the state investigating and prosecutorial arms, they make make evidence case files disappear through bribery, questionable deaths and disappearances of whistle-blowers, as well as intimidation. Later the court case accused actors and quasi suspects pects, and due to cheap publicity they gain fame. Then by playing the dirty tribe victim-hood card, they are ripe for electoral suitability for the next election. The cycle continues, we keep electing illiterates , mysterious millionaires year in year out, people who can’t even explain a good business plan or how to come up with a successful project execution plan. People who have never worked, and never searched for a job, and never penned a CV but own billions of Kenya ShillingsNust.
Easy wealth like that as the poor continue paying taxes, but wallowing in abject poverty. Wealth without any struggle, accountability and responsibility is dangerous wealth. Gradually, the allure of such wealth is attracting the culture of laziness, dishonest, loose morals(corruption, prostitution, sycophancy and crime), “The end Justifies the Means” kind of situation.
But, what if, anyone mentioned in any public looting spree activities, is charged, prosecuted, and if a watertight case is admissible, he or she’s executed?
A nation that cannot pay teachers, doctors,lecturers, and nurses, police the army and other public servants, buy cancer and dialysis machines for hospitals, can’t feed its people, in the the pretext that it has no money, to spend, yet, daily, witness disappearances of tens of billions from her budget into the pockets of few selfish individuals, as people die of cancer, needs total overhaul.
Let’s kill our thieves, and let’s kill them publicly. Kill them in broad daylight, and in the full glare of the cammeras, In Uhuru Park, Nyayo National Stadium or anywhere we choose.
If this will be the best path to ending the chronic public looting, then so be it.
The day I pleaded for mercy in the hands of Nairobi prostitutes
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THE DAY I PLEADED FOR MERCY IN THE HANDS OF NAIROBI PROSTITUTES
Commercial sex workers [COURTESY]
I had just completed college and was staying with my relatives in Eastlands, trying to find something to do in the city.
Still new to the town life, the only place I knew too well, then being the iconic Ambassadeur Hotel, off Tom Mboya Street and Moi Avenue. This day I had gone to meet a relative who would receive my documents, to try to as a friend to ask his friend’s friend to inquire for places I would apply for a job. It was mid-morning.
That was before Mututho liquor laws. Bars were open 24/7. While standing at Ambassadeur area, waiting for my future benefactor who was taking long, I felt the need to go for a short call. Being not too naive and not too wise, walking by the doors of the congested business premises, I saw the image of a yellow smiling elephant on a door with the usual trademark words, Tusker Baada ya Kazi (Take a Tusker Lager, after work).
I concluded that was a bar. My father had advised being careful when passing water in Nairobi. If I went to the city, he advised that I use public toilets if I had the money or go to the nearest bar or bear with the situation till I go home. Unlike in the countryside where we peed in the bushes or wayside, things were different in Nairobi. One would be arrested by the city askaris if found urinating carelessly.
I, therefore, scaled the stairs of one bar opposite KenCom and on reaching the first floor, I met some attractive women. The yellow-yellow type, scantily dressed, sauntering sensuously and rotating their rich-round behinds. Their ages and sizes varied. The makeup they had used emphasized their magnificence, their designer perfumes made the air sexy. I had never seen anything like it.
When my eyes met those of one round light skin, she pulled me towards her. Before I could decipher what was going on, another bubbly, equally stunning beauty had grabbed me towards her chest. Mmmmh! The perfume was nice. “So this are prostitutes,” I thought to myself.
In a split second four stunning ladies had held me tightly. “He’s mine, leave him!” One of them who had cat eyes said. “No! He’s mine!” interjected another. “Come we talk, we’ll agree, how much do you have? I will give you the best game,” asked another.
All this while I was trembling. I had heard and read stories about women forcing men to have sex with them. Women raping men. That prospect made me fear the more, given that contracting HIV/AIDS would be a possibility since these were strangers. The men who were nearby seemed to enjoy the scenario, flirting casually with those ladies while some laughed at me.
Out of nowhere, I squealed like a wounded Moran. Tears welling down my cheeks, I shouted begging, “Please, please… leave me alone!” They suddenly left me but not before administering some soft kicks and slaps.
“Woishe! Leave him. The poor guy has nothing,” one of them pleaded to her ‘hungry’ colleagues.
Driven by fear and terror, I vanished from that place like thin air, even the short call disappeared miraculously!
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Is Raila Odinga the champion of post colonial liberty, or an overated populist?
By Mwalimu Miruka
I have never written anything about one Raila Amolo Odinga, neither am committing myself to the job of chronicling about his political journey and times, since am not his biographer. Am just a budding writer and journalist. However, my eyes and ears cannot miss to analyze the events and conversations surrounding this big man who has influenced the political narrative in Kenya for close to three decades like a colossus and his larger than life fame.
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Raila Odinga, is the son of Jaramogi Odinga, a freedom fighter, first vice president of the republic of Kenya and the doyen of multi-party democracy in Kenya, who passed away in the early 1990s.
While Raila Odinga is not an angel, has flaws, just like every other mortal man, but it will be mean if someone, amongst the right thinking members of the society, to ignore about some of his achievements, albeit few(subjective).
The son of Ajuma Oginga started to champion for change and for fundamental freedoms, a while back, I read in the media, when some of us were not born, and to date, his words, tone, intonation and pitch has not wavered. He is consistent, steadfast, sincere, candid and unapologetic. Not once, he has spent part of his adult life in prison and exile because of expressing his open displeasure towards the regimes of the day.
Coming from a renown political family or dynasty and a rich one, the man could simply seat pretty, enjoy life and take care of the family estate with personal investments. But the former PM seams not done yet, politically. He is tireless, fiery in his articulation that within a short time, he’s just become an household name, admired by many and hated equally. Raila Odinga influences even news stories in Kenya today. His admirers love to know what he says in the news. To them, he is like opium: he soothes their nerves, as they unwillingly bear the brunt of exclusion, public resources plunder, marginalization and tribal segregation, while to the haters, he is a spectre, devil, villain, a person who should be fought like death. Some communities, in Kenya, someone joked that, apart from the normal schooling, pupils from that get from some parts of Kenya, learners from some areas must take a compulsory module called, “Raila-phobia” with sub units that teaches a child the need to hate Raila and anything Raila stands for, whether good or bad, with s passion, same with his family and tribe. The scholars, the hawkers and other common people there, are also taught that they have to protect “their” presidency by all means, lest Raila grabs it. If he does so so, then he will deprive them of their land and property, that they own.
The real thing here, is that, Raila is a threat to the fewer fabulously rich people, who fear being asked to account for their wealth, amid a large poor population, who, actually, were rendered landless by these capitalists, who own thousands of acres of land. Later the common people, in some parts of Kenya, have been forced or left to scout for land in other parts of Kenya to purchase and settle, in areas inhabited by communities they have been taught to hate, look down upon and ridicule by leaders originating from their ancestral tribes. The guilty keep poisoning the poor with stereotypes and Propaganda in order to get the the political support, to rule the country forever, by all means.
Raila Odinga, maybe, has to work harder supported by the Wananchi and other like minded political leaders, so that his good intentioned efforts, if any, can bear a fruit. Otherwise, because as things stand now, the conservative capitalist could easily divide Kenya among themselves, sell it and run away to Piccadilly. But… No… But one enemy stands their way. Is that enemy the media, civil society and Raila Odinga?
mirukaongoro931@gmail.com
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Slaves of power: what African despots can learn from the story of former Gambian president
Born Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jamu Jumkung Jammeh on 25th May 1965, the former Gambian head of state is regarded as one of the longest serving African presidents, having served for 22 good years.Prior to joining politics, the despot served in the Gambian National Army as a commissioned officer up to the rank of a colonel, from 1984 to 1994, when together with other officers, staged a bloodless coup d’etat, toppling the regime of president Sir Dawda Jawara, which they accused of corruption, high cost of living among other failures. The military fraternity cited poor remuneration.
Subsequently, the junta, led by the 29 year old Yahya Jammeh for the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council(AFPRC), which suspend the constitution and imposed a national curfew.
PARTY POLITICS
In 1996 Yahya Jammeh formed the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), which he used to vie and won the presidency in an election that was termed as unfair by foreign observers. He also won the second term in 2001 with 53% of the vote.
In the year 2006, while in Mauritania, the military unsuccessfully tried to depose him through a mutiny. Jammeh rushed back home. Colonel Ndure Cham, the alleged coup mastermind fled to the neighbouring Senegal. Several military officers linked to the tumult were apprehended and later sentenced for treason, serving jail terms, including life imprisonment for some. The general elections were scheduled for October that year, 2006, but because of the Holy month of Ramadan, elections were held in September, where the incumbent Jammeh won with a landslide of 63.3% of the poll.
The controversial Jammeh was again reelected in 2011 after allegedly securing 72% of the vote, an election dogged with much controversy. He ruled until 2016 when he lost to the main opposition contender, Adama Barrow.
RIGHTS ABUSE AND CONTROVERSY
In 2007, president Yahya Jammeh claimed that he could cure HIV/AIDS and asthma with the use of herbal medicines. For the HIV/AIDS cure to be effective, he advised the patients to stop taking the anti-retroviral drugs, a claim that was highly criticised by global AIDS control agencies, lobby groups and the international community at large.
The press was emasculated under president Jammeh, with several cases of abuse, murders and disappearances. A good example is the murder of one Hyda Hydara, editor of The Point news tabloid in in December 2004. Mr. Hyda was gunned down, days after Mr. Jammeh had talked tough against the press. During his reign, thousands of citizens disappeared, some allegedly abducted by state security operatives and militia .On 11th April 2000,twelve university students with journalists were shot dead while in a demo. The students were protesting to express anger the murder of their colleague. The members of the press were covering the demonstrations.
Nothing lasts forever. Today Abdul-Aziz Yahya Jammeh is in exile, in Equatorial Guinea. It was rumoured that he had emptied the state coffers, of The Gambia, before accepting to relinquish power, but the allegations were dismissed by the former head of state. By trying to manage Gambia like his property, he became a slave of power, the power he worshipped, the power he strived to keep, the power he would die for, had the military arm of ECOWAS (ECOMOG), made good their threat, had he not left peacefully for exile.
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