Inner circle of “bad image”
Posted on July 18, 2010 by Saidimu Ole ngais
Sentiments of my aging dad have never left my mind when he kept asking me to propose to him what can be the possible measures to be put in place to curb the ‘hell of mess’ in the Northern Frontier Districts NFDs.From his faded face and the way he talked to me clearly revealed the dark side of his heart of these historical problems that he has witnessed throughout his life and now fearing that his son is about to inherit them.Little did he know that I was facing ‘mental disturbance’ out of these hell of living.And what is the cause of these?is the question I still ask myself as I write this article.
T o borrow some knowledge from my former class 4 GHC teacher when she forced us to repeat singing
‘Lenana young masai agreement ooh ooh 1904 agreement……oooh’;it has taken me my entire life to feel the pain of this colonial agreement.These agreements are partly to blame for the mess cornering the NFDs;This agreement restricted all pastrolists from direct contact with other citizens due to their harsh lifestyle and warrior-oriented response to external aggressions including the presence of the white man!What am I trying to say here?The NFDs were simply denied their right to benefit from the current ‘punitive and time-consuming formal education’.The few whose fathers had direct links to ‘mzungu’ were the ones who enjoyed this ‘white blessings’.
But is this still the cause of under-development in these vast lands?probably not!The alleged ‘BAD IMAGE’ of a dry nation full of hunger-stricken citizens,low levels of education,poor health care services with majority still using the ‘medieval form of treatment due to absence of health facilities,killings,banditry,poor transport and communication networks etc. is to blame for this historical mess.Again I ask IS THIS ALLEGED BAD IMAGE REALITY?probably yes for those who have not been there.
Now get the true picture.Statistics done at the Kenyan universities on the number of outstanding graduands every year especially at the fields of medicine and science courses is a direct indication that although their geographical backgrounds are dry and arid but the brains are not dry when they outsmart those from ‘heavy backyards’.
This a just but a drop in the ocean!The recent announcement of multi-billion cement plant in the larger West Pokot district has attracted so many eyebrows.From the information on the ground, many new inhabitants are trying to make ends meet at least to secure a parcel of land in this ‘gold-mine’ that has suffered equally as any other part of northern Kenya.Why turn your attention to the forgotten north now?Still on the same, Isiolo is now about to gain its long dream of being transformed to a ‘moder world’ thanks to the mining experts who assured the government of our yet-to-be exploited Kuwait oil wells.
Turning our attention on the tourism sector,even the northern Kenya residents are by themselves tourist attraction.If well utilized Kenya stands a better chance to gain billions to the exchequer through this.Allow me please to borrow a leaf from my host country;Morocco.My recent visit to the south taught me a lot. Geographically the Kenyan ‘north’ is the equivalent to the Moroccan ‘south’ but with one evident difference; super transport network.I spent my four days here with all the races you can imagine are found in this planet.Tourism ministry’s strategic plan to market Kenya as a tourist destination cannot be achieved if roads connecting the untapped tourism in the north are not carpeted.
ACCUSING FINGER
Before I finish allow me to point an accusing finger to ourselves and our leaders.It is common sense that the face and true expectations of citizens are seen from their leaders.Therefore before we begin complaining to our leaders;lets ask ourselves “who voted in this one?” and by answering wisely we will leave to achieve our dreams.
May God guide you as you reflect on the content of this article.NOBODY ELSE WILL BUILD NORTHERN KENYA FOR US.
By MOSES LEMUKOL
