‘To be
or not to be?’ is one of Shakespeare’s greatest quote in his literary works.
Well, should we or should we not rise above our limitations and soar to great
heights? I choose, to be. Our journey is set. Destination clear, but
something’s off. With everything in check what is holding us back then.
Kakamega
County and we the people have for a long time been perceived as retrogressive.
Nothing Luhya-rather western affiliated represents development. As a county and
a people, we are walking time bombs.
Whenever
I read articles relating to Kakamega County amid all the politics, development
agenda, business, insecurity, infrastructure, agriculture…one question lingers
in my mind. Can’t we do better?
Kakamega
County. Home to the country’s leading sugar miller-Mumias Sugar Company, which
sadly is at the brink of collapse. Kakamega where there is gold, but it is of
no use to the local miners. Kakamega where farmers have land, but still end-up
hungry. This is sad!
Factoring
all these, the bold question has to be asked. Those with answers and solutions
to come forth. It is time. It has been for a while now. What is Kakamega most
serious problems? With this in mind, please, engage me.
The Fear Factor
As a
county and people we started by abandoning our political parties. Failure to
accord the parties and people proper representation both locally and
internationally. Ask any aspirant which political party they would subscribe to
and it will stun you. Our political leaders continue selling out our beliefs to
other party leaders as if we are in situ. Walk into any bank and ask which
people fear loans? Luhya will be part of the list.
It is
this fear that has crippled us as a people. Fear to invest. Fear to maximize on
our ability to devour knowledge. Fear that land will be taken away if you help
that young lad secure a loan. Fear to say no, and stick to the people political
causes addressing issues that affect the people. Fear that we will lose an election
if we don’t stand our ground. Fear this and fear that.
Recently,
Senate minority leader said that he doesn't want to be president. All he wants
is for the removal of Uhuruto. Note that presently he is Western’s political
mover if I may, but really? Whose vote will make this a reality? I believe that
my vote is my ticket for a better tomorrow and not to fulfill someone’s agenda.
Did
you know that Luhya are among the most learned people in the country presently?
But what are we doing with these human resources? Where do we hide? We are playing
it safe, which is not an option. We must risk it to reap it.
Failure
is okay. As one successful author put it, I will fail my way to success. A
lesson I hold onto. We should get off the wagon of fear and try things. As we
wait for the deputy president to reduce the levels of bureaucracy in the Uwezo
fund, let us start the process of getting that money and use it.
Lack of unity
A
chain is as strong as its weakest link. And there is nothing worse than people knowing
your weakness. The earth is filled with opportunists, they will capitalize on
this. As a people we are used to compete the circuit, we are but a conduit. Without
us, current is still present at the various terminals.
This
rift is another recipe to our downfall. This reminds me of my primary school
motto, ‘Together we succeed.’ I loved it. It is time we spoke with a unified
voice, realizing that if we don’t then we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
Ad you read that motto let it resonate with you. Let it be part of you.
Culture of giving back to society
Most
of us know Bill Gates. There is an article titled ‘Reasons why Bill Gates name
will live on’, published recently and in this article they were comparing Steve
Jobs to Bill Gates. Although Steve Jobs is known as the king of innovation,
Bill Gates’ generosity to give back to society-Melinda and Gates foundation, will
immortalize him. People will not only remember him, but that will do so with a
sense of pride for the lives he touched.
‘Blessed
is the hand that giveth’, the bible says, ‘than the one that taketh.’ I once
worked for an NGO whose tagline read, ‘Projecting hope. Changing lives.’ Every
time I read it, I was psyched to go to the field and change lives. Truth, we
did change the lives of the refugees.
In
conclusion, most of our politicians are not development oriented. Only a few, are
wired to think and implement the development agenda. The rest are passing time
and luckily for them, making money in the process.
If you
are well placed in society, have you ever thought of reaching down and lending
that helping hand? If you are a youth or elder have you ever thought of risking
it for the future? As a people, have you ever thought of sticking by your
beliefs and most importantly people and if you are not on the same page-change
their thoughts?
This
might be insignificant, but that is how progress is made. To quote a Chinese
saying, ‘A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.’ Make that step! If
we overcome these three problems, then we will live to be. Kakamega, land of
the hopeful!
George
Odenyo Litunya
Communications
Consultant, Trainer and Writer
odenyo09@gmail.com|
0711998010
