Devolution will solve MRC concerns

Letters

It is a historical fact that pre-independent Kenya comprised two entities: a colony and a protectorate. The protectorate was the 10-mile coastal strip, which was then considered an extension of the Sultanate of Zanzibar. This was acknowledged during the Lancaster Constitutional Conference. Significantly, that parley chose to discuss the independence of both entities as a single country.

Some inhabitants of the coastal strip were against merging with the rest of Kenya giving the coastal secession movement its raison d’etre.

The British colonialists were in dilemma trying to determine the true wishes of residents. Informed by this, it formed a commission in 1961 to find out from the inhabitants whether they wanted the protectorate to be a part of Kenya or not. The commission received delegations and petitions with some favouring secession while others rooted for a single State.

Majority petitioned against outright autonomy and preferred that the strip remain part of the then nascent State of Kenya.

An independent Kenya was thus born, consisting of both colony and protectorate. The land, which had been scarred by years of conflict, celebrated the new-found freedom. There was a buzz about the unity of a people welded together despite different backgrounds and the promise of a better life.

wanton neglect

This wanton neglect of a people is nothing new and has been with us since time immemorial. Some of the key institutions inherited from the colonial government such as Kilifi Hospital and most clinics in the province are staggering monuments to this neglect. The Mzima Water Project is also generally symptomatic of this malaise.

In the coastal strip, poverty roams the land and region probably has the highest population of squatters.

Lately, as a result of the bottled-up frustrations, a group known as the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) has emerged.

They have aggressively revived the notion of the coastal strip as an autonomous entity and are advocating for its secession.

Instead of roundly condemning the group or its tactics, the best way to resolve the germane issues is to have a frank discussion. A sustained resolution of the concerns would pacify the fire of secession, considering the Constitution has devolution as one of its main planks.

A devolved government that diffuses both power and resources from Nairobi to the counties is better placed to address the concerns of this disenchanted group.

Most importantly, the Constitution, through county governments, inadvertently provides a ‘local’ solution to the very relevant and historically provable issues articulated by MRC.

What the coastal people need to do is elect educated, visionary and good administrators.

Mohamed Hussein Jaffer, Mombasa

The country’s leadership must instil patriotism in all Kenyans by ensuring an all-inclusive system of government to avert groupings such as Mombasa Republican Council. Social stratification must be made invisible by formulating policies that guarantee that all Kenyans, regardless of their demographics, share the country’s resources.

Moreover, the country’s leadership must be aware of the danger lurking at the backdrop of tribal and regional politics. The citizenry must ensure that the next president they elect has the requisite ability to unite by spreading the message of harmony.

David Simiyu, Kakamega

Educate people on cancer screening tests

Cancer is a life-threatening condition that has robbed the lives of our loved ones. It is a scary and slow killer disease, which brings stress and torture to both the victim and family. It claimed the life of my dear one last year and it was so painful for him and to my entire family to see him suffer.

We tried the treatment that was available in vain because the problem was realised late when it had spread.

Many people are dying of cancer in Kenya now at an alarming rate. Cancer of esophagus, breast, prostate, liver and ovary has now become a fear factor in every community.

It has by far superseded HIV and Aids, which used to be feared the most. The outcry at the moment is; where is our hope with this enemy? What is really the cause? Is it the change in our lifestyle? Processed foods that have flooded our supermarket counters or is there something new not yet discovered? These warrants thorough research by our public health team and I hope these professionals get considered in funding so that they can do a good job because they can save the lives by pointing at the cause and suggesting the intervention.

The good news with cancer is that it is preventable and treatable if diagnosed early, and the bad news is that there is little hope once it has metastasized to other organs. Cancer can be diagnosed early if people are enlightened on some of the preventative measures like having annual check-up.

There is a high need for everyone to participate in annual check-up, have your blood checked to include cholesterol and such like. Make appointment to see your doctor like you would take your car for servicing.

ANNUAL CHECK-UP

By doing so, we stand high chance of detecting cancers in early stages.

All women from the period of menarche to the time of menopause should be shown and taught on how to do self breast exam so as to detect and report breast lumps for early intervention. They should also do annual Pap smear checks in order to detect early cervical or uterine cancer. All these can be done by gyneacologists.

As for men, they need to have their Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) checked annually to detect early cancer of the prostate and for early intervention.

They need to see a doctor the soonest if they have the following symptoms; hesitancy or difficulty urinating, frequency of urination, and getting up frequently at night to urinate because that could mean that you have enlarged prostate gland.

Enlarged prostate does not always mean that it is cancerous. Let everyone be checked for good health.

Everlyn Tarus, Minnesota, US

Publishers killing creative talents

There has been debate on who is to blame for literary barrenness in East Africa as Taban lo Liyong said. As a budding writer, I blame local publishers for various reasons. They sit on manuscripts for long wasting time and discouraging writers. Publishers are after money and give priority to school text books. Books are poorly marketed denying authors good royalties. And publishers prefer established writers and aspiring ones have little room to jostle.

They blame writers for being impatient arguing that editorial work takes much time. But can it take a publisher a decade to edit a 150-page manuscript?

Zakayo Amayi, Masinde Muliro University

Drive safely this Easter holiday

Easter is here. Remember hurry hurry has no blessing so drive slowly. Some will go to church and others travel far. Entertainment joints will be packed to capacity. We must watch as terrorists will want to take advantage like last Sunday in Mtwapa and Mombasa. Already, over ten lives have been lost on our roads this week. Let’s be very careful this Easter holiday and avoid deadly speed and careless overtaking. Leave early to arrive alive.

Justin Osey Peter, Mombasa

Lesbianism in schools worrying

I am worried about gay practices in high schools. Is the Ministry of Education doing anything about it? Recently, three girls were arrested after forcing a Form One student to perform lesbian acts. We parents can’t be changing our children from one school to another. A school in Karen has suspended over 30 students due to allegations of lesbianism among Form Two students without a chance to defend themselves. Can the ministry intervene? I am thinking of transferring my child.

Concerned Parent, Nairobi

How do I get Maendeleo ya Wanaume?

I read about Mr Nderitu Njoka and his organisation Maendeleo ya Wanaume. It is very fine that somebody is also defending boys and men’s rights. I want to learn more about this organisation and what they do. I kindly ask for his email-address, website or other contacts.

Per Kristian Mathisen via Email