Re: The Republic of Winam

Here is something terrible to read, but of interest to some of us rooting for devolution of Kenya's political system or, if need be, absolute transformation of Luo-Nyanza into an independent state called Winam. The article is titled, "Pulling Apart: Facts and Figures on Inequality in Kenya." You can read it here:

http://www.sidint.org/Publications/Docs/pulling-apart.pdf

Barrack Muluka recently made reference to this article in his commentary here:

http://www.eastandard.net/archives
/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143963357&date=6/01/2007

Barrack Muluka has also lamented about tribal and regional inequalities in Kenya in several commentaries like these ones:

http://www.eastandard.net/archives
/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143955681&date=22/07/2006

and:

http://www.eastandard.ne/archives
/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143956003&date=29/07/2006

In one of these commentaries, Muluka points out that Nyanza province pays more taxes than any other province except Nairobi, yet it is one of the most underdeveloped, only above northEastern Province.

While these commentaries should prompt us to wonder out why Nyanza lags behind other provinces in development, and Muluka explores the reasons very comprehensively in his commentaries, it tells us something that we rarely think about in Nyanza.

It tells us that Nyanza, contrary to tribal and government progapaganda, is actually very rich. Nyanza has very many resources. In fact, Nyanza can become very wealthy in a truly just, fair, and democratic state. But can Kenya become a truly democratic state? You tell me.

In the meantime, read, "Pulling Apart."

Meshack Owino.