Re: I was ordained by the late Father Messiah Melkio of Legio Maria, at Nyalenda slum

Matt.4: 1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread" But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"

Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will give His angels charge concerning You'; and 'On their hands they will bear You up, Lest You strike Your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me.'" Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

I truly believe that all of you leaders of Luo, who because of circumstances beyond your control found yourselves in Diaspora have one thing in common, which is to see the land of our inheritance feeding our people. You may have differing opinions of achieving this, but the desire to see a positive end result is the same.

It is for this main reason that I have come out publicly repeatedly in support of Dominion investments at Yala Swamp. I want to continue to support this initiative.

However, I have also come to realize that there are issues with Dominion that keep getting mentioned, yet I never hear back that they have been dealt with to the satisfaction of the local Luo population directly affected by them.

Just last week, Hon. Oburu Odinga, who has always been a staunch supporter of Dominion was complaining on this very issue when president Kibaki went to Yala Swamp to Commission the rice mill. "Local leaders who included Bondo MP, Dr Oburu Odinga, had demanded that residents play a key role in the farm and also benefit from the proceeds."
http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143969895
{Wednesday, June 13, 2007}

I am a born again Christian and I know that where God is trying to do good to humankind, the devil is not far behind, promising the same people an even better deal, if only they do certain things his way. In our case, those certain things may involve, but not limited to manipulation, greed and dishonesty.

Let me also disclose here that I have had the opportunity to visit with Calvin Burgess twice in his home in Oklahoma, thanks to Rev. Okoth Otura. I can tell you that I found him, his beautiful wife, and their lovely family to be Christian, down to earth people.

So from one Christian to another, I want to encourage Calvin to set the record straight that Dominion's agenda in Luoland is God owned, and they look at their relationship with the Luos as one of equals before God. I myself have not been to Yala Swamp, and I do not have enough information about Dominion to speak positively or negatively about their business practices there. But I do believe that as a Christian, Calvin will want to address these community concerns that keep getting mentioned.

Also, some examples of business opportunities that their presence at Yala Swamp has created for our people would help if they are made public. I have in mind things such as, is it a Luo business owner hauling your produce from Yala Swamp to market with their Semi truck? Who is he? How many Luo business owners are in your distribution system for your produce from their ancestral Yala Swamp land? Who are they? It is one good thing to create employment in the farm for our people, but before God, if that is all you are doing for the Luo on their ancestral land, the Luos would become just like Lazarus, eating the cramps that have fallen from your Dominion table [Luke 16:19-26]. That would not be God in charge, but the devil, and we must shame him quickly, "Begone Satan".

Lastly, let me reiterate that is important for the Luo community to have a sense of ownership of Dominion's projects in their ancestral land. It is also most important to ensure that any Luo ancestral land under lease is not titled over to a third party, ever! Luos everywhere need to know if such is stipulated in your contract and if not, it needs to be included. The concern that our people have that they may lose their ancestral land should your venture fail is a genuine concern, and it must be addressed in a Godly, satisfactory manner.

Thank you.
Odundo jaKarateng'
President, Luo Communities Everywhere (Luocome)