Re:The Indipendent state of Luoland-Stop blame games!

I am writing in disagreement with one Loise Ochanda who, while denouncing secessionist discussions in this forum, made insensitive analysis as to why Luo Nyanza is faced with chronic socio-economic problems. Loise thinks the community is entirely to blame for the inequalities. This is plain wrong!

First, I must make it clear that whereas I understand the frustrations, hopelessness and impatience of those campaigning for an autonomous region, I urge caution that this not be approached from a militant angle but through political means. In any case we are yet to exhausted all available options of seeking a just and responsive central authority.

Getting back to the point, Loise argues that, "... Former president Moi was not very friendly to the Kikuyus during his days; did this stop SK Macharia from setting up Royal Media in spite of the frustrations ..." Loise needs to be sincere enough to note that the community presented as economically innovative / persistent mostly benefited from the initial ethnicised control of the countries resources thereby having a head-start in almost all key sectors of the economy.

It is no secret that the Kenyatta Government lay the foundations for the current inequalities faced in Kenya by directing most capital to his community. Luo Nyanza, for political reasons, was hardest hit by this illegal maneuver, and what Kenyatta failed to do Moi perfected and Kibaki is affirming. It is therefore unreasonable to assume that Luo Nyanza is currently able to compete against "Loise's ideal community" without an affirmative action of sorts. Being a key player in the economy takes real capital and this, the Luo community has largely not been able to access.

Finally, a simple illustration: "O" and "K" are competing in a hundred meter dash. Other things being equal, "O" has weights attached to his legs and these slow him down during the start. Midway through the race, the weights on "O's" legs are removed and "O" is told the same race rules apply to him. Loise, who do you think will win this race and is it a fair game? Some issues are too serious to be argued without sensitivity and this is not to say that a complacency perpetuated by hopelessness is not in play in Luo Nyanza. We just need to keep seeking what we rightfully deserve and that is NOT "yuagruok manono".

- Simon Agwanda Owuor
Kisumu Democracy Institute (KIDI)