Did the gods curse Kenya’s North eastern region?

Warren Buffet, the famous US and world Billionaire investor was asked what has contributed to his immense success. Besides starting to trade in stocks early (age 11), he said that it was being born American that made him lucky. Now figure this, America is one country that has been known to provide myriads of opportunities for her citizens only followed by developed countries and some fast paced growth countries not necessarily in similar capacity. While at that, put the northern frontier region of Kenya in that same paradigm and see the so many inequalities in this world that make human beings have different shades of culture and behavior.

I have been to many parts of Kenya, sampled the diversity of cultures, politics, researched on economic activities and I have discovered a lot of inequalities. This is part of the reason I have been a strong advocate of devolved governments which should be well manned. We have just witnessed blood shed between the two communities of Turkana and Pokot which is always euphemized as cattle rustling. Cattle rustling but with deep fissures in it.

If you visit and mingle with the communities that have been said to engage in cattle rustling such as Turkana, Pokot, Marakwet and Samburu, you will find that the problem is besides culture, dirty economics and politics. It is true these communities have for ages been involved in cattle raiding to beef up their stock but after more than fifty years of independence and developing?

Common sense tells me that there are deeper issues here. Some will say this is a result of economic marginalization. But is this to say that if you are marginalized you kill your neighbor? We have many communities in Kenya that have been economically marginalized since time immemorial including after independence. Just visit some areas in Coast and Western and see that some have tasted a sprinkle of independence goodies just in recent times.

Indeed even Mt Kenya region which is assumed to be very developed has had some areas which were lagging behind in development especially on major government projects like roads and electricity (energy). The area is far from developed at any rate. Marginalization cannot be an excuse. Methinks there is an element of politics that needs to be tackled.

At the same time it is high time the affected counties and the national government worked hand in hand to sort out this mess. Border incursions by some communities from neighboring countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda need a thorough safeguard not the arming of communities as it encourages fighting amongst them. The area is vast but it’s no excuse. Whatever it takes be it establishment of security zones, so be it.

It’s so hurting when people die like flies. It’s so demoralizing that when we try to spruce our image reeling from terrorism menace we get more bad coverage by Western media. It’s so bad that these are the kind of images potential tourists are shown of our country. This madness must stop.