Hello readers, it has been quite some time since my last post. My apologies. Trying to write and doing my personal business is actually a bit challenging, but a must do load. I will try and improve on that.
I actually promised to write on globalization… but just on a second thought, it is basically our secondary needs. We better, No! I better discuss the basic needs that our community needs. What determines a strong house is its foundation. Yes, that is what I will concentrate on. The foundation.
The basic things that affect the third world are poverty, ethnicity/tribalism, corruption, gender equality, un-employment, sub-standard education, insecurity, violence, poor health care, land and property rights, poor governance and leadership, environment; how can we lack all these, and expect to do well In the International system. That is unrealistic. Indeed, Success begins from within to without.
We can rub our failure to the Berlin Conference 1884, that led to the partition of Africa. I do not disagree that it contributed to our problems, however it is long overdue. Don’t you think so? Rather than being trapped in a paradigm of blame and entitlement, it is up to Africans to shift the way we think about issues and find a way out of these crises.
It is prudent to use victors as reference, that is where you will be able to set your pace. U.S is a diversified population, filled with people from different cultural background, ethnic groups, different races, traditions, religions… name them. Yet it is the super power. With all the differences among its people, it still the best Internationally.
We need to have our own vision not vision made to us by the ‘West’ under the Umbrella of United Nation, International Monetary Funds and World Bank. We need to identify our own problem and make our own vision and mission. Not to let “others” do it for us. No one can do it for anyone. Borrowing from my Bible, in Proverbs 29:18 It states ‘Where there is no vision, people perish.’
Self-confidence and self-respect; this is what unjust past helped destroy. And this is what my society needs to foster. From this, much more will flow. Only with mutual respect will we be able to begin a fruitful National dialogue.
Poverty
According to my word web, it explains poor as being impoverished, indigent, needy, under-privileged, miserable, destitute, wretched. When you talk about poverty, what comes in our mind? Hunger, poor health care, poor education… poor living condition. Half of Kenyan population are living in less than US$2 a day. Poverty is exposing our people to greater personal and environmental health risks, they are less well nourished, have less information and are less able to access health care; hence have higher risks of illness and disability. This is because of their incapability of not being able to meet their ‘basic needs”.
Poverty has led to increase in Human Trafficking and slave trade, violence, sexual immorality which leads to high increase of HIV & AIDS just for people to be able to meet their basic needs.
In our society, the poor are also typically marginalized and have little representation or voice in public and private debates. That means their voices or needs are never being addressed hence it’s harder to escape poverty. Ironically, this is not the case with the rich. Of course the wealthier will benefit from economic or political policies. For instance, The Kenyan Brook side Industry its expansion in Nigeria in the name of MNCs. I wonder.
The structural adjustment plans prescribed by the IMF and World Bank is a key cause of poverty. The debt crises that we suffer from is because of its condition for loans and repayment.
Under the notion of globalization, my country has opened up its economies to compete with each other and with more established industrialized nations like China, Japan. However, the reality is that, for it to attract investment, it has entered a spiraling race to the bottom in order to see who can provide lower standards, reduced wages and cheaper resources. This has actually increased poverty and inequality. Which maintains the historic unequal rule trade. It is evident in what is going on between China and Africa and the Umbrella of ‘South-South relations’ which is not even factual in the first place. They are not in the same status.
As a country, we should work towards reducing the gap between the rich and the poor. This can be done through ensuring there is each and every individual has responsibility to perform, there is good and functional government policy, lack of exploitation by people and businesses with power and influence. Peaceful coexistence which can be achieved through enlighten and educating people to behave in more divine manner.
We need to accept and practice the truth. Success only begin from you as a person. By being a good time keeper, putting effort, having work ethic. Energy, right attitude, passion, being coach-able, being prepared and doing extra. Is what every single person needs to develop. When we all take responsibility definitely our country status will also adjust accordingly.
When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.
Unemployment
There should be a national strategy on Entrepreneurship. Small and Micro Enterprises are hindered by lack of capital, limited market access, poor infrastructure, inadequate knowledge and skills and unfavorable laws and regulations. Its high time as a nation that we should put measures in place to correct the situation.
I believe that the rural areas have great potential that we have actually neglected. It has a lot of potential. Abundant agricultural land; fishing from the lakes. oceans and rivers; water sports, tourism sector (from wildlife, natural features, cultural activities), minerals (e.g. oil in Turkana, Lead in Coastal region), Solar Energy in North Eastern, Livestock, Wind in Turkana and Ngong hills, irrigation system in Kamba for its rich fertile land, Forest in Western region among others. It is high time that we should put much emphasis and focus to the rural areas. With this in place we will create employment opportunities to our people.
Poor and governance, Corruption and Tribalism leadership
The three are always interrelated. When there is poor governance and leadership massive corruption and tribalism is inevitable. These three elements are ailing our country. They undermine states legitimacy and service delivery.
Corruption distorts market competition, increases the cost of doing business, and decreases the ease of conducting business.
We need all actors involved in order to stop the above madness. This is from the head of state to the normal ‘Mwanainchi’. Institutions of moral formation should be strengthened. We should have a strong family life; functional schools with teachers as some moral examples; religious communities that reinforce commitment to truth and honesty; and a work places that embody values.
There MUST be a political WILL for the THREE to end. It starts at the top. Without political will the fight against our current status remains empty slogans that only breed cynicism. Ethics are driven from above and therefore succeeds or falls with those in leadership positions.
Nothing will change until enough individuals confidently stand up for themselves and claim their own rights. In the end, such beliefs can only come from within.
Indeed, it’s our key responsibility to have aspiration and determination to work towards restoration of our country to the path of sustainable peace and prosperity.
(Education, Gender equality. Insecurity and violence, Poor health care, land and property rights, Environment and Climate change). I will discuss the above in my next writing.
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