I want to share an idea with you. You are already aware of this, but there is still work to do. The idea is about gender equality and promotion of equal acknowledgement and respect between sexes in Maasailand.

I know we love our female counterparts but we also know that we still have to do a lot to ensure that we recognize them equally in our society. Why I am concerned is because of our struggle for equal recognition as a people in Kenya. It will be very challenging if our own house is terribly internally discriminated.

The Maa people (this includes Samburu, Maasai, Ilchamus and all other clans/sub clans) including our adapted Yaku Mukogodo Maasais are undergoing a very fast moving transition from the fourth world unto the third world where the rest of the Kenyan ethnic groups are. We need to have great shock absorbers to withstand the pressure and change. Things will not be easy, neither will they be the same.

We cannot demand for equality as a people while we internally discriminate against our very own sisters. It is my belief that our case will be powerful, respectful and genuine if we live by example in protecting the rights of the girl-child in our society. This will be a mirror reflection of what we are demanding as a sovereign people. Treat unto others, the way you want to be treated yourself!

You feel the bitterness when they call you names and disrespect you by ridicule and with distorted images and stereotypes? Imagine how it feels to be discriminated by your own family and community just because you happen to be born a female?

When I think of fighting for my rights as sovereign citizen of Kenya, I realize how weak my claim is when I know I shall go home at the end of the day and share my “freedom” with a “female slave” either sister or mother or daughter. We may turn and bend this issue in different positions and explain ourselves in terms of culture and way of life but, the facts still reveals us.

The bitter truth of the matter is that, we must convince our deepest conscience that most of our Maa women find themselves in a very confined world where they cannot freely do live their lives as they wish like all free men in the world. Some of us may call this idea foreign but I tell you my dear warrior, freedom is not foreign to members of human species regardless of their geographical location.

And so we must remember that slavery ended with the American civil was in 1865 and that slavery was officially eradicated. Poverty resulting from bad governance has entirely contributed to many people living their lives in modern economical slavery.

Many Kenyans today are victims of bad governance. Look at Mukogodo for example, the employment rate is about 1% (get the facts). People’s suffering is a direct result of our government’s failure to respect “its Constitution” It is also the reason why our sisters are still circumcised.

It is the work of the government to defend its people and not the duty of individuals like you and me to go out and stop FGM for example. There should be a well established social welfare system after 46 years of self rule. However, since the government has rules that it does not apply, we are moved and forced to action by the very reason, to acquire freedom for both sexes.

If you protect your own sisters this year, we will nominate you for a very significant prize.(developing the concept) Any Maasai man, who wins the hearts of their parents and make them belief that they don’t have to let their girl child be circumcised, will be for a appreciation.

I am currently working on consolidating 5 tickets to Sweden which will be dispatched to the warrior/man who will have produced extra ordinary results within one year. I have already fixed one ticket. I am already working on the remaining four. The ticket and accommodation for one month will be catered for. During that time, we will visit Swedish institutions to formulate partnership.

Please come up with supportive ideas and send them to dk(@)diasporakenyan.se The idea is merging our efforts and make a single powerful grass root front to ensure that we acquire the fundamental rights of every single member of our society. Let us start from the most marginalized members of community. May the most hard working community developer win the prize?

Saidimu Ole Ngais.