RE.Luoland-learn from your mistakes: Honest response to Joram O. Ragem

Dear Mr. Jorum O. Ragem,

Barack Obonyo conclusively answered your concerns about the investment meetings you seem to cautiously question. I thought that it would've been smart to restrict yourselves to that. I don't see any reason of enlarging the debate to include; Sessation, Majimbo, Mr. Okoth Otura and Mr. Calvin Burgess. If you have a personal problem with the above-mentioned individuals--go right ahead and confront them. I know them as able individuals who are capable of defending themselves fully. There's no one with monopoly of ideas about any subject in this forum, but I see a very productive and healthy debate concerning our lives gathering steam. I also see many people who have different point of views but still unable to come out in the open with the best way forward. In this respect, I support Obonyo for what he stood for and the fact that he is not just talking but doing something.

As you may be aware Joram, the hope of achieving the goals such as eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, quality universal primary education and marked reduction in child mortality remain a mirage in a unitary Kenya. (evidence 45 years Unitary System) People are struggling to reach their 40th birthday in your backyard, people die of malaria everyday mainly because there is no access to primary health care. We are trying to profile the state of poverty in Kenya today as a way of breaking from the past and charting a sustainable formula of addressing it. You can micro-invest as you said some Kikuyus are already doing in Luo Nyanza, not a bad idea if that’s what you aspire for. I respect that and extend my request that you respect those who wanna do it BIG. Do you know how much a liter of aviation fuel costs?? I don't agree with those who want to take us back to mafuta taa village level investment. I cant buy that!!

Calvin Burgess is involved in Mega projects, Yala Swamp is worth over 4 billion Ksh and I ask you to go and see for yourself what is happening there, you can also see how many people are employed and earning reasonable salaries etc. He is even constructing roads in the area, health facilities etc. aren't you aware that this is the work of the government Jaduong' Jorum??? Right now in Kenya, the key word being presented to donors is poverty reduction yet at the grassroots, public administrators do nothing practical to accelerate progress of poverty reduction. The evidence provided by the newly industrialized countries indicates that given just, capable and visionary leadership, democracy and the rule of law, economic empowerment at regional (Majimbo) level as well as a good home grown development strategy and management, a typical under-developed country can move from 3rd World to the 1st World status in one generation.

You've got the latitude to defend your unity government and call those you disagree with tribalists but you can't change history or 45 years of underdevelopment. We don’t need more feasibility studies to come together or agree that something needs to be done as had been for the last 45 years while we know what immediate needs of our people are. Let me tell you something, you don’t need to be trained in Investment to call for an Investment meeting.

We have trained Investment attaches all over the world; in USA, EU and many developed countries, show me their performance data i.e. what they have achieved in terms of attracting direct investment to Kenya for the past 10 years?? Mr. Ragem, why the cantankerous shouting and absurd name calling? We can't twist your pessimistic nature or force you to dance mpaka chee. By the way, partying is not limited only to Luos but to all human race. It is indeed part of celebration and a healthy human recreation. Haven't you heard of Christmas party, New Year's party, Halloween party, Birthday, Housewarming party, Office party, Block party, Tero buru party etc.????

A lot is now known about poverty and meetings after meetings have been called to discuss classical factors accounting for persistent poverty in Kenya yet at village level the suffering continues unabated. The likes of Barack Obonyo, Okoth Otura, Calvin Burgess etc. are coming up with practical solutions to raising International capital and investing the money at grassroots to tackle poverty head on, NOW not tomorrow. Jaduong Ragem, Some of these people don't even care about what your opinions are as long as they know what needs to be done.

Your letters portrays you as having a hidden agenda and out to portray those you differ with as people with questionable characters.

Last but not least, let me remind you that development requires a paradigm shift and overcoming forces that militate against one’s or group’s progress. Mega projects and the gathering of like-minded people will proceed with or without the likes of Ragems of this world. You can still change or bring in your cautious optimism to the platform........and why not DANCE MPAKA CHEE WAMORORE???

William ODuor
Århus Denmark

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"I for one believe that if you give people a thorough understanding of what confronts them and the basic causes that produce it, they'll create their own program, and when the people create a program, you get action." MALCOM X