The New Economic Hotspot

Statistics estimate the next fifteen years should see a drastic rise of up to 50% ownership in possession by third world countries of the global economy. This is what skeptics have described as a ‘giant leap of faith’ because of the current status of most of these developing states. The projection suggests that it is the current generation of young people who will skyrocket the economy of developing countries such as Africa. 

…The Complacent Generation…

Africa is currently made up of what I define as the ‘complacent generation’. It is characterized by people who have fallen victim to the idea that the continent can survive comfortably on minimum wage. If the target is set so low, will we be able to give our contributions towards realizing this 15 year dream by embracing our position as major stakeholders in the direction of the global economy?

The way I see it, approximately 60% of these miraculous years will have to be invested towards changing Africans negative perceptions towards our continent. Why? Because we have more than enough manpower, raw materials, and produce to export in order to take over a large chunk of the economy in less than five years. All the efforts required in the next fifteen years can be accomplished in ten or less if we united put our best foot forward. 

Kenya and its contribution

It all goes back to the theory of teaching someone to fish as opposed to giving them fish. Kenya for instance has for years depended on the international community to steer her economy, guide her blindly into financial debt and give her strategies on how to raise other nation’s economies whilst trying to do the same with its own. We are led to question just how genuine the intentions of some countries and conglomerates are when they give us financial aid as opposed to mentoring us on how to grow our economy? So who teaches Kenya? Experience and necessity! 

With ICC proceedings and tension building up from a cold war stirring between African nations and other members of the Roman Statute you realize that Mother Nature is always ready to take her place. Kenya has now been forced to be part of a tight pressed economy with constantly rising taxation rate. In a couple of years, even if Simon says jump, Kenya will be able to sit still with its legs crossed. 

The invisible investors

We are the invisible inventors. Invisible in the sense there are those that can see what Africa and Kenya is worth but that we are blind to our own potential. What we need is to inject our intelligence and efforts towards growing our own economy. The economy is by far one of the most tremendous forces in global development that has the potential to revolutionize the world as we know it. With Africa’s spirit and burgeoning cooperative development we have already started our journey towards taking over our piece of the global cake. 

As Cocacola would put it, Africa, its our time.

...Cheusi

The Gender Agenda

The Gender Agenda- the journey of growth at community level

Following recent changes in Kenya’s system of government, women are now key stakeholders in the disbursement of public resources. The actualization of devolution went a notch higher on the 8^th of July when female leaders from Kisumu County converged at one sitting to exchange ideas on how to push forward the women’s agenda as far as the Millennium Development Goals are concerned. The objective of the meeting was to establish if women’s needs were being addressed, at county level, considering that there was a sizable female representation in the new devolved system of power.  

This breakfast meeting was graced by a number of key government officials at county level such as chiefs, county representatives and the Deputy Governor; Ruth Odinga. As an initiative of Kenya Federation Advisory Organization (KEFEADO), a women empowerment organization in Western Kenya, the event carried a lot of weight that will contribute into actualizing the implementation of the ‘gender agenda’ in Kisumu County. 

The first problem for all of us, men and women, is to not to learn but to unlearn…Gloria Steinem

Each leader was put to task and asked to account for the progress they had had in their respective dockets since the wake of their nomination earlier this year. A number of grey areas were pointed out, key of them being how to create a women centric society that can influence and focus on the needs of a county from a holistic point of view. Possibly, if we can invest in women, their natural maternal instincts can be tapped into and result in the growth of the entire society. Other areas of concern included;

• Land acquisition

Are women in the position of acquiring land and owning title deeds? African heritage and society has for centuries shunned the idea of women owning land. The perception on the same has since been passed down and inherited by the general public. According Ruth Odinga, even if women are in the position to purchase land they are held back by the intimidation and stigma that they will face since it is not considered ‘African’.

The same concerns were raised for issues related to owning businesses. Dr. Rose Kisia, the women representative for Kisumu County, expressed her intentions to see women in Kisumu empowered as far as small scale businesses are concern. Under her capacity, she proposed ideas on how trade and market growth for women would create a strong economy in Kisumu.

In addition to this, there is a need to also advice business owners and open their minds to business ventures that can expand their enterprises (i.e. applying for tenders for projects at county level). By increasing the market base for local traders and creating a need for suppliers within Kisumu as opposed to acquiring goods from other counties, Kisumu would eventually be able to sustain itself, nurture small scale businesses and create numerous job opportunities.

•  Maternal health and Education

If women and children are dying today, who will we govern us tomorrow? Who will vote us in during the next general election? Maternal health is a key element of the women’s agenda. It reflects a population’s morality rate. In this day and age, the country should be equipped with enough services and trained personnel to ensure the security of mothers while they are delivering. Kisumu was pointed out as one of the regions in Kenya that is well equipped with hospitals that can provide good maternal care. 

Education was also highlighted as an area that, if invested in, can contribute to the realization of the women’s agenda. It was brought to the members attention that women need not only get academic education but that there was a need to train them in skills that are relevant for them to have personal development and growth.

•   Security

Women who stand up to vie for political seats tend to be maligned by both men and women in the community. Gone are the days where leadership roles were reserved for men. Every woman should be encouraged to take up a leadership positions; should they desire to. Security in general must also be assured especially to female entrepreneurs’ so that Kisumu can eventually turn into a 24 hour business hub where people are allowed to trade without fear. 

Why women? Why the gender agenda?

With a sizable representation of women in government positions, they now have the opportunity to bring to life new development in different regions of the country.

As much as leaders may defend what they have done with documentation and words, it is only through the perceptibility of their actions that constituents will be in a position to know they are fulfilling their duties in accordance with the constitution of Kenya. If a viable communication strategy is put in place to gunner the support of women in the region and sensitizes others as to the gender agenda, a realization will be made on the development goals of Kisumu County. Such is a leaf can be borrowed from both male a female leaders in the rest of the country.

Policy implementation in every county has to be relevant to the community and must follow a plan so that bullets are not being shot in the air. In order to hit the nail on the head, there needs to be accountability from the those in power and a mentorship program that will enrich people with one of the most important resources we own in the country; Knowledge! 

Another key factor is to do away with the main clamor for the stalemate in development which is pushing for these agendas as an individual rather than as one unit. Members of each county need to work together for the entire country to be able to appreciate the role of the devolution system.  Every leader should make use of their clout of space at county level so as to see the fulfillment of a bigger picture in the country. This involves the active role of citizen participation as well.   

The devolved system of government has presently allowed for new dispensation in the implementation of policies that has opened up a horde of opportunities for women at community level. The challenge now is in changing women’s perceptions towards their position in the society towards politics and administration. With women championing their own gender agenda we may be in the wake of a new dawn. The county of Kisumu can now afford to anticipate positive changes in their hometown with a passionate group of female leaders ready to take the bull by the horns and bring the Millennium Development Goals to life. 

We have all been charged to be drivers in the devolution system, not passengers.

For more reference on this check- http://www.preventgbvafrica.org

...Cheusi

If you have a dream...protect it.

Since when did you beome a quitter....
Ok,
So you may not have made the list.
Someone else was choose instead of you.

Move on...
There are greater tragedies in life!

You may not have the same abilities as others; hardly a speck of it,
but you have stuck it out this far
and that's what counts

In this lifetime
you do not have to prove anything to anyone
except yourself
and after what you have gone through
if you haven't done that by now,
then you never will.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: 

Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

 

-For those who have been having rough days 

and needed some inspiration

...Cheusi

IF WOMEN AND CHILDREN SURVIVE, THE COMMUNITY WILL THRIVE

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was recently ranked as the worst place to give birth/have children in the world. When compared with other parts of the world, experts show that the hardship experienced in Congo affects a large population of the women and children.

The report released by ‘Save the Children’ provided thorough comparisons that highlighted the conditions faced by mothers and their children in more than 176 countries over the world. In this report the key areas of interest involved countries’ political, moral, education and (maternal) health standards.
The study also provided conclusive evidence of how women were unable to secure income generating positions in these parts of the world.  This translates into the inability of most mothers to provide for their infants.

 

DRC stands as one of the countries’ that has continuously frustrated the efforts of female emancipation. This situation, coupled with cases of insecurity and inequality, has made Congo one of the worst places to start a family. According to ‘State of the World’s Mothers,’ the country has a ratio of 1:30 maternal death rates due to poor health services. Other countries listed with similar situations include Somalia, Sierra Leone, Mali and Niger; that previously topped the list.

It is appalling that in this day and age women and children are still mistreated in many parts of the world. We should be at the forefront fighting issues associated to discrimination, child trafficking and abuse. In any society people need to acknowledge that women and children are the foundation of a productive society.

We need to speak individually with one voice.

…kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa

http://www.wnyc.org

...Cheusi