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

Joram,

Why don't you take your own advise instead of insisting that others take it even when it is clear that you need it the most.

Where is the requirement that all foreign investors have to act the same way prescribed by your highness, Joram. So what if other foreigners decide to invest quietly while Burgess decide to engage the people? Why does Burgess have to act like other investors that you know? Have you wondered that maybe that is why there investments never made an impact.

Further, what does it matter if Barrack or Otura or your other targets of constant ridicule are politicians or professionals, economists, or investors. They still have a right to call an investment conference without answering your questions or getting your permission. These people are private citizens who have a right to their opinions and a right to seek and solicit people of similar opinions and to associate with such people at a place of their choice and expense. They do not have to comply with your arrogant demands to answer your questions just because luoland is going to be a topic of their discussion and you happen to be a luo.

If you need the answers so badly then you will have to attend their conference and ask as many questions as you wish. If on the other hand you do not want to go to this conference or be associated with their ideas-please stay away from it. Let those who are interested and those who want to get more information attend the conference at their own expense and at their own time so long as they do not charge or pass the cost to you or inconvenience you in any way.

These people have already announced a conference, now it is up to those who want to attend to do so. Let people make their own decisions of whether to attend or not instead of "go koko" here for nothing over something that does not infringe upon your rights or burden you in any way.

You may have made up your mind about Burgess, but there are many people who are interested in what Burgess has to say about agricultural development and I think you should get off your high horses and let us get the information we need to make up our own minds. I think we are all intelligent enough and cautious enough to decide for our selves.

Right now there is a debate among Kenyans about Majimbo and in luoland in particular debates this debate has been going on for years. Not only about Majimbo-which is now becoming mainstream- but also about the idea of secession-which is still a fringe idea at this point -but more and more people are starting to pay it attention. Most of people used to believe in the central government (nationalism) but they are losing grounds because of its failures as you correctly stated. There is an ideological shift going on in Kenya as a whole in these issues and we need to consider all options put on the table. I believe a conference like this is very timely and relevant to this debate. Let this be a dialogue and not a food fight.

Equally disturbing is why you think that these meetings should be called in private. There is nothing illegal going on here that needs to be hidden. This is not a luo version of "Mungiki". These people are trying to gather information on how to better Luoland and not how to harm or discriminate against other tribes. I do not understand why this must be shrouded in secrecy.

Remember that not too long ago Majimbo used to be considered an extreme and fringe idea. Now Majimbo is becoming mainstream as more and more Kenyans are rushing to embrace it. secession may appear extreme now but who knows, 10-20 years from now people may actually seriously consider secession or other kinds of arrangements if Majimbo also proves to be a failure. Human beings are supposed to constantly explore possibilities and to experiment with new ideas to improve their lot and not to stubbornly stick to old ideas even if it is obvious that they are no longer working.

Barrack and Otura have a right to their political opinions just like you have. Instead of trying to shoot down their ideas which are not threatening to anybody because they are not even close to being made at a stage of being made into law or policy.

Personally, I believe that the concept of micro-investing and what Otura and Barrack are talking about are not mutually exclusive to warrant all these hostilities from your side.

Joab