Desirability for Luo nationhood or not.

It has its challenges. My observations are below.

I have no doubt in my mind that the existing arrangement for Kenyan Statehood is poised anti-Luo. No doubt the community which has suffered most in this Unitary state are the Luos: the most to have her leading politicians and leaders assassinated, most discriminated against job wise and on national resource allocation, public service appointments, most underrepresented in Parliament and Civic Authorities, the least allocated national budget per capita in relation to its potential.

At one stage Nyanza was on a path of Industrial development with modern Industrial Industries:KICOMI, Miwani, Chemelil, Muhoroni, Breweries, SONY, Molasses, Homalime, Kibos Industries, Ndere Ginnery, several jaggeries, Power Alcohol etc.

Was it not Kibaki as Minister for Finance who messed up the Molasses Plant with over pricing and transfer pricing making it unviable? He did the same to Furfural project in Eldoret, Ken-Ren fertilizer Project Mombasa. Has he changed and will he change?

Most of these Industries are either limping, survive on subsidies, dead or exist for patronage. How does this help the community in terms of job creation, and economic development of the region.

It a fact it is easier for a person from a different community to do business in Central Province that a Luo, why?

We have a few people who have benefited from the system in Luoland by collaborating, but this does not help the entire community. Moi was as much anti Luo as Kibaki. May be Kenyatta was even better by comparison considering the number of Industries established in Nyanza during his time, and non during Moi's: SONY, Molasses etc were all planned during Kenyatta's time.

Seeking autonomy is a means of taking over control. We shouldn't fear viability since modern development is ideas based. DRC has all the resources but still one of the poorest in Africa. Small countries like Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Greece, Macedonia, etc are there. Sovereignty does not necessarily mean exclusion and seclusion. It simply means emancipation and homogeneity. Small rivalries will always be there in any state, but that is healthy and not a negative thing. Discrimination and deliberate impoverisation is negative.

Last week there was an editorial commentary in Nation insinuating that the ODM brigade have nothing to offer rather than just making noise without any programme. I wrote back to the author to ask: who did Planning for economic growth that NARK-K is now yapping about, was it not Anyang Nyongo?, who planned for the Infrastructure roads, was it not Raila, how about power sector, was it not Ochillo Ayako etc. How can they now not have ideas or is it simply because they have opposed attempt by Kibaki to be "King of Kenya".

We can remain within the common market of Kenya, EA, COMESA etc but in control of Economic Policy, Taxation, Internal Security, Judiciary etc.This I see as the surest way to Rapid and sustained economic development.

As we continue to fall behind Central, Eastern, Nairobi, Rift Valley, Western and possibly Coast, the long term effect will not be any less than Slavery and Servitude

Joseph Okumu
London