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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Politics of starvation in Kenya

There are several instances where journalists have seen starving children in the course of their work and their lives have never been the same again. Some went as far as abandoning the profession and others even committed suicide.
If you didn’t know it even with the horror of starvation and drought we have seen in the news so far, there has still been plenty of editing in the images that many Kenyans are now seeing coming in from Somalia and the refugee camps within Kenya. Not to mention the starving Kenyans in many parts of the country. There are limits to what you can transmit in front of the dinner tables of Kenyan families taking in a meal as they take in prime time news.

Still even with the censoring, what has been beamed has evoked strong emotions and mostly very angry responses from the people. In my view the voters are getting even angrier against their government and the current crop of political leadership. And with good reason.

Two years ago it was public knowledge that we were expecting the El Nino phenomenon where we would get abnormally high rainfall to be followed by abnormal drought (La Nina). It was just a simple thing to plan ahead and save lives but instead all the thinking and resources went to fighting the ICC and Moreno Ocampo amongst other idiotic projects.

And even now the government response has been extremely slow, mostly too little too late and what is happening is that we are building up to a much bigger crisis down the road.

You see the hunger crisis will place additional pressure on food prices and this coupled with the weakening shilling could lead the country to some serious food riots before the end of the year. Food riots can be pretty ugly and if there is anybody in authority reading this then they should wake up and realize that the current fire fighting efforts are not enough and somebody needs to urgently plan ahead for the more serious crisis coming. Can we forget about manipulating the ICC for a minute? This is so serious that if nothing is done and there is no divine intervention than there will be no country left to fight to lead and manipulate.

Although experts are saying that the current drought in this part of the world is the worst in 60 years, the truth is that the people we call our leaders have done nothing over the years to help starving Kenyans when the rains fail all too frequently. Yes, Kenyans die of hunger almost every other year and that does not receive any media coverage so don’t fool yourself that this is the first time in 60 years that Kenyans are dying of starvation. In fact it would appear that the political class thrives on hungry citizens. Indeed the government has always used food hand outs to retain complete political control of large chunks of Eastern province, mostly Ukambani so much so that it will take many decades to get this handout mentally out of the psyche of Akamba people. Indeed William Ruto and Daniel arap Moi (by the way did you know what Moi's most guarded secret is?) used this little piece of information last August to straddle the Kamba community and get them to vote strongly against a constitution that was for all intents and purposes in their best interests (more so for them than for many other communities in the country). But that is a story for another post.

The bottom line is that the government has absolutely no excuse.

What the next government needs to do (we have completely given up on this excuse of a government) is to pursue serious rain harvesting initiatives (bore holes deplete the under ground water table and cause much more serious long term problems). Did you know that a country like Egypt which is virtually all desert and has only one great river grows surplus food? Take my word for it if you still don’t get it, Kenya should never have a food crisis, even if we had a 5 year drought.

46 comments:

  1. Well, the proble is not LACK OF FOOD. Our problem is LACK OF PURCHASING POWER.

    As an example, in Sweden, 1% does farming and feeds the rest. In Africa, 80% are in agriculture and cannot even feed themselves.

    Basically, this is the DEAL. When Rome was collapsing:

    (a) The fertile land was dedicated to CASH CROPS like olive oil, wine fodder, luxury items for the VERY WEALTHY.

    (b) the remaining poor soils were left to the COLONI on which to raise GRAINS.

    Check the Kenyann soil and you will the EXACT replica of the COLLAPSING Roman Economy. If the Roman economy had to collapse because of these arrangements, how the hell do you expect anything different in Kenya in 2011?

    Think about that and stop yelling about GOK doing thgis and that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Enough is enough. Kenyans should call for elections right away (the UN or some outside body can manage them). We can't wait any longer whilst these back-passing idiots toy with our lives.

    Starvation deaths, ritual killings, power rationing... what next?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fellow Kenyans,
    Why did Kenya lend Japan Ksh 82 million to assist in the relief efforts during the recent earthquake in the East Asian Island nation? Couldn't that money have been spent on assisting our fellow brothers and sisters in drought and famine prone parts of the country who are now stricken with hunger and thirst and are dying like flies while Japan which never asked for our money and would have still received the more than Ksh 2 billion they have to date got for the reconstruction efforts?

    What is wrong with our Government?have they given up on thinking and using their heads for a change?

    ReplyDelete
  4. The new constitution demands that the government provides sufficient food and clean water to all Kenyans.
    Chris was a campaigner for that useless piece of paper. Well, how better are Kenyans 1 year after the historical promulgation of the useless new book??
    Wait till next year when we have a mega government and you will see how bad things will become. My advice to kk readers, try to get yourself a fertile farm and start farming. Things are gonna be very expensive. You can take that to the bank.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. The Politics of starvation in Kenya is just a manifestation of politics as usual. Indeed it's not difficult to imagine that the new constitution was fronted to increase political posts that have quadrupled under the devolved government model (expanded national assembly, senate, county governments, etc) than to provide the ordinary citizens their inalienable rights. There's more opportunity for the oligarchs to continue running the show as they always have.

    To the anon on the previous post, I agree freedom of speech is a good thing. However as an example for how individuals rights are still managed under open democracy, you cannot vote simply because you are over 18. You need not only a national ID, but a voter's registration card to have your say. Culling comments from those without known handles (an e-voter's card if you like) is thus akin to turning away a voter without a valid registration card. It happens all the time in elections. People will tend to make sensible comments if they know they are known.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have decided there will be no more ugali in my house which we are being robbed blind at Sh150 bob per pack. I will not be giving these greedy milling oligarchs a cent of my hard earned cash anymore, I'm just fed up! Most of these millers (many are closely related Asian barons) actually operate as cartels to fleece poor Kenyans and then pump millions into campaign funds of the equally greedy politicians. So instead of ugali I'm now into nduma, ngwashe, arrow roots, cassava, mashed potatoes or the very nutritious unga from village posho mills. If every Kenyan followed my simple method or opted to boycott ugali for one week per month, prices will come crashing down. Join me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. and you who they are closest to in politics

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  9. Israel is 60% desert, yet agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry and a major exporter of fresh produce more than any other country. Bearing in mind only 20% of the land is considered arable.

    How did that happen?

    ReplyDelete
  10. M. Pesa,
    Where do we get the maize to take to the posho mills?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Chris,
    Do you still have my "Mussings of a Starving People" that was out of place or posted at the wrong time and in a different post, in the course of one or two weeks ago? Or was it left to evaporate into the delete grounds?
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    BTW, have any Kumekuchans ever wondered about the amount of money - in the millions of dollars and euros - that is usually poured or emptied (wasted on) in to "food aid programs" intended for the affected areas after the fact and not before?

    One thorny issue taht has always bothered me is the fact that non of the international aid agencies, including the government of Kenya ever makes plans of using the funds in prevention programs rather than using them as band aid concepts every time there is drought in the region, or thousands of unfortunate Kenyans are afflicted with severe starvation.

    As you may have noted already, the international aid agencies are already busy "shuttling their people" 24/7 into Nairobi (Kenya) then fly them out to the affected areas.

    As a matter of fact, Kenyan embassies abroad are having a field day processing thousands of visa appliactions as well as dishing them out in the thousands to the so called professional "volunteers" aka members of the Do Gooders Club.

    Wilson Airport is throbbing with life again as if it were one of the seasonal rivers that get flooded with so much unwanted water(s) from high altitude areas (Europe, Canada, United Sates and Australia).

    At a time when 1000s of college kids and many adults who're out of jobs in their home countries, get the golden opportunity, life-line if you will, for landing automatic well paying jobs and perks as well in the name of saving the dying Africans.

    So, where does the money (fat salary packages) come from? Is it part of the aid or the so called "admisntrative expenditures"? You tell me!

    In most cases, the recruitment is done by behind closed doors, word of word, inhouse pandering, and through the exclusive access channels on the campuses of some schools (colleges/universities) located in those far away countries.

    One of the many questions I have always asked myself and others, is that - why fly in 100s and 100s of "poverty-tourists" under the usual disguise of "aid-volunteer programs" to handout food, bedding, medicines, drinking water, clothings and tents to the starving populations and refugees from neighbouring countries?

    If it's a question of just distributing food aid, other than professional medical services, intense psychological services and logistics, then I don't see any need of flying in troops of recent graduates or (wounded) people who may be still struggling with career-shifts or life-changing issues, for the express purpose of doing jobs that as well be done recent Kenyan graduates.

    NB: There are those in the government, NGOs aas well as in the so called churches who have perfected the art of minting money whenever such dire crisis have occurred.

    Such are the times that they love to see so that they can make a lot of hay while the sun shines on the starving populations of Kenya and Africa.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Waxing patriotic while ravaged by poverty is not only naive but obtuse STUPIDITY. If you loathe the POVERTY TOURISTS then just feed yourself, PERIOD. A HUNGRY beggar cannot afford the luxury of choosing, or can s/he?

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  13. Israel is 60% desert, yet agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry and a major exporter of fresh produce more than any other country. Bearing in mind only 20% of the land is considered arable.

    How did that happen?

    xxxx

    You have provided the answer to thy own question. "... highly DEVELOPED..."

    What does it mean to say a nation is developed?

    xxx

    Enough is enough. Kenyans should call for elections right away (the UN or some outside body can manage them). We can't wait any longer whilst these back-passing idiots toy with our lives.

    xxx

    How will taking OPIUM help the situation? We keep on repeating, this is a DEAD END.

    Without admiring the Chinese, let us ask. Since 1990, how many OPIUM sessions have they had? ZERO. Are they starving like Africans who had so many OPIUM sessions?

    As a matter of fact, it does not matter what kind of government you have. People can be governed well under any system of government.

    In fact, if you review history, in the last 6000 years, monarchy has been the longest and most stable form of government. For instance, did England develop under monarchy or "democracy"? Under a monarchy.

    When did the Romans experience the best government? Under the ADOPTIVE monarchy.

    So, stop these delusions that elections is the solution.

    xxx

    "Such are the times that they love to see so that they can make a lot of hay while the sun shines on the starving populations of Kenya and Africa.

    7/27/11 5:44 AM

    xx

    These famines, wars serve the purpose of POPULATION CONTROL of a HUNTED RACE.

    When will Africans wake to the reality?

    xxx

    The issues of famines and such, should have been sorted during the constitutional debate. However, instead of sound thinking, analysis and sythesis, we were told that, when we employ sons of Nyachae and other members of the OLIGARCHY, we will do well.

    Well, the son of Nyachae is now enjoying his millions as the poor Kenyans who voted his position starve. And, it SHALL get worse.

    xxx

    Anyway, let us continue enjoying, The Boss, i.e. who gave the order to starve Africans? The boss.

    http://is.gd/0DNlXf

    ReplyDelete
  14. By the way as people starve and die like flies in the Northern parts of our country, farmers in parts of Central like Kinangop and Ol-Kalou are complaining there have too much food and milk that no one wants to buy. Milk is actually wasting away since they don't have coolers while sukuma wikis are fed to cows. Farmers in Kitale are hoarding tons and tons of maize in their stores hoping prices will shoot like a rocket. Our callous bastards in parliament meanwhile are plotting to sneak in a pay rise while no one is looking so they can earn 1.1M which will make them pay tax from then. Meanwhile people continue starving and the president hibernates in state house without a whimper. Welcome to man eat man society!

    Anon @ 4.23 Try Gikosh (food section). U cant' go wrong there if you live in Nairobi. Alternatively, drive all the way to Mwea (where my in-laws live) and buy in bulk thus cutting off the greedy brokers and middlemen!)

    ReplyDelete
  15. well, how much of aid in cash, technology and equipment do israel and egypt get on a yearly basis? OK to imitate them, but helps to think a little.

    In the meantime isnt it odd that it has taken the international media (just a matter of days) to spotlight hunger, deprivation and outright starvation in our own backyards? I now see why it makes sense to award chinese the media control contract. Perhaps then we might get to know what's happening in our neck of the woods faster.

    ReplyDelete
  16. M. Pesa said...
    By the way as people starve and die like flies in the Northern parts of our country, farmers in parts of Central like Kinangop and Ol-Kalou are complaining there have too much food and milk that no one wants to buy.

    xxx

    No one wants to buy? Nothing of the sort. There are millions want to buy.

    However, as we noted above, these millions have NO PURCHASING POWER.

    You see, how we frame issues may make us not see the real deal. We talk of lack of food. As long as we see the problem as lack of food, we ask for aid and such nonsense.

    However, if we correctly see the problem as lack of purchasing power, we would ask, how do we ensure Kenyans have purchasing power?

    As such, the real question is, why do so many Kenyans lack PURCHASING POWER in a nation that exports tonnes and tonnes of fish, vegetables and flowers, or, in a nation that has food no one can afford to buy?

    To understand the situation correctly, it would require we ask, how did the Irish starve in millions on the same roads that tonnes and tonnes of fresh food was leaving Ireland?

    In other words, if you understand how the Irish were starved by the British imperialists, you will also understand why so many of us are starving.

    Off course, if you ask the British imperialists, they would have said the Irish were foolish, lazy bla bla bla and such nonsense.

    Anyway, we leave to enjoy:

    The RICH people drive POOR children away,

    Tell me where u get ur wealth, .....SHAME

    Remember rastafara is investigating your wealth

    http://is.gd/7naLP7

    ReplyDelete
  17. Chris,
    none other that the angry and hungry voters will be the biggest fools on the face of the planet if they fail to vote out all bar none of the current MPs come 2012! but is that a pipe dream or will it actually happen in reality?mmmmmmh!let us wait and see

    ReplyDelete
  18. Shamelessly pointing a finger at the west (read so-called imperialists) doesn't make one an intellectual. It is one thing to put things in historical perspective but to spew the same past all the time is to get trapped in a time warp. Not that I expected you to know better.

    Come on, try another line outside the insecure one of seeing imperialist ghosts in every African malady.

    Bwahahahah, more imperialist vomit please on KK's shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. - "The Irish Potato Famine" or the Great Famine of Ireland from between 1845 and 1852 which saw the greatest influx of Irish refugees to USA.

    xxx

    Yes, we are referring to this genocide.

    Mark you, the imperialists have been committing GENOCIDE against the HUNTED RACE (Africans), since 1945.

    NB: We choose to "ignore" the history before 1945, just to simplify things a bit.

    The question is, where is the outrage even among the Africans against the GREATEST GENOCIDE in human history? Where is it?

    Just look at these children and ask yourself, for how long shall will WE accept this state of affairs? For how long?

    http://is.gd/lBiodA

    Anyway, we ask:

    Hey slavedriver!
    I'm asking you this question again and again and again
    and again
    Work police- you false priest!
    Trying to indoctrinate Jah people but, (Hear me man)
    When will this payday be?

    Slavedriver
    When will this payday be?
    Tell us this hour
    When will this payday be?
    For these retired slaves

    My forefather worked down here
    On this great plantation
    True he didn't get no pay
    For all their wasted days

    http://is.gd/GhCPFC

    ReplyDelete
  20. Shamelessly pointing a finger at the west (read so-called imperialists) doesn't make one an intellectual. It is one thing to put things in historical perspective but to spew the same past all the time is to get trapped in a time warp. Not that I expected you to know better.

    xxx

    Very well. Go ahead and teach us the CAUSE of all this.

    Please go beyond saying we are always blaming imperialism.

    The ball is in your court now Sir.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This will continue to get worse every year, it is a well planned and organised thing. The western countries heavily subsidies its agriculture and power at the same time imf and world bank give stringent instructions not subsidise this two areas. As a result our farmers cant compete and our industries fail. Either way you look at it we are screwed, recolonisationof africa will happen in our lifetime in the name of humanitarian assistance.
    Blaming our politicians will not help, we kenyans must stand uot to be counted call for the end to imf, world bank and all aid. We have the resources to succeed.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Contrary to popular opinion and belief, Kenya is a country that was capable of shifting its corrupt headed political system and lazy development butt from poverty to wealth, several decades ago.

    Sadly, Kenyans will continue to lick the same old empty bowls of zero change and drink from already corrupt political and social systems for another decade or two.

    The cruel and evil politics of starvation should no longer be a weapon of choice or even an alternative political method of operation as an assured means of subduing certain sections of the country in this day and age.

    So far what the country needs is not a bunch of loud mouthed quacking politicians who have been so accustomed to running around the country like scared headless political chickens that have no clue as to whether or when they should declare their intent for running for the presidency in 2012.

    All the country needs at the moment is a proactive leadership that will help lead, guide and if possible drive Kenya's lost glory in food production, self-sufficiency, reputation, competitiveness, pride, and sovereighty back into existence.

    Drought and consequent starvation in the eastern and north-eastern regions of the country are a yearly occurrence that the afflicted victims experience all the time, and the successive governements have always been aware of it since the early 1970s.

    The irony of it all is that it takes the foreign media to expose what is always common knowledge to the local people, the Kenyan media that always loves going to bed with slective amnesia, a bunch of deadwood politicians, a house of parliament that has no clue of what its priorities are, and has also abdicated its national responsibilities, and presidency that seems to be in a permanent state of paralysis when confronted with matters of death and dying within Kenya's national borders.

    Masses of starving Kenyans will continue to be nailed on the crosses of corruption and dumped in the cesspools of political negligence.

    We are already in July of 2012, yet the country continues to operate at full throttle as a Banana Republic at its worst.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Waxing? "Waxing this..." or "waxing that..." was an archaic phrase that was so commonly employed by a league of stalkers from a distant past. Resurrection or what?

    ReplyDelete
  24. I always get amused when i hear people saying "don't blame the government" or "don't blame the politicans" lol. so should we blame Wafula the watchman or the IMF or the former colonian masters? Taking responsibility should not be subject to sensitivity and feelings

    Apportioning blame is actually not a negative thing because that is where change starts. Once you identify the weakest link something can then be done about it

    ReplyDelete
  25. "Don't blame the government"?

    Absolutely, the government - the group of people who officially CONTROL a country named Kenya - is to blame for everything that has gone wrong in the country, for everything that's not working out in the country, for the ongoing STARVATION in the country, for the endemic and widespread corruption, for not be accountable and for not taking reponsibility for the ills that continue to take place in the country.

    Otherwise, what's the point of having a dysfunctional government that never steps up to the plate?

    The government is to blame for failing to effect the monumental and long lasting transformations in governanace.

    Kenyan electorate voted for change. Change in the manner in which the current government, parliament and the whole country operates.

    Their wishes were for a change that is concrete and dicernable, as opposed to a change that is tantamount to wasting "new wine" by pouring it into very "old wineskins" as is the case at the moment.

    Three thirds of the country had hopes and dreams of a better way of governance which was to be realized only through physical and visible tranformation of the whole governmental system.

    Lest we forget, change serves another purpose besides cosmetic or structural transformation of the establishment.

    It serves as a reminder of where we came from as a country, in hopes that we never make the same monumental mistakes again.

    ReplyDelete
  26. the govt is also to blame for the perennial denial of conjugal rights by our spouses.

    the govt is to blame for my decreasing libido.

    the govt is to blame for the poor rains.

    the govt is to blame for the poor performance of my aunties kids in highschool.

    the govt is to blame that I drank and wasted all my family savings.

    what a silly argument!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. To Anonymous at 7/27/11 9:48 PM none of your rambling dissassociates the Government from being responsible for starvation in its borders. They havent made a earty effort to combat it. If the Mp's who you say are blameless were to donate thier taxes due to famine relief we would not have 80 year old grandmothers starving to death
    Mhttp://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000039747&cid=4


    To Mwarang'ethe, please explain who is responsible for the creation of purchasing power and the lack therof? and dont you need employment or capital to have purchasing power? Both of which are lacking in Kenya for the Majority

    and Notice how silent the principal and premier politicians in this country are silent on this? Why dont one of them donate at least one months salary to combat this?


    Akheillus

    ReplyDelete
  28. Kenyan electorate voted for change. Change in the manner in which the current government, parliament and the whole country operates.

    xxx

    You voted for change? Come on. This is what we call DELUSIONS, ILLUSIONS and CHILDISH FANTASIES.

    This starvation crisis shows what happens when your delusions, illusions and childish fantasies meet REALITY.

    xxx

    To Mwarang'ethe, please explain who is responsible for the creation of purchasing power and the lack therof? and dont you need employment or capital to have purchasing power? Both of which are lacking in Kenya for the Majority

    xxxx

    Purchasing power is created by those who farm, manufacture, transport, sell, fish and mine.

    Whenever you see a nation so devoid of purchasing power as we see today, someone is preventing the combination of the two factors of wealth creation (production of valuable stuff), i.e. land and labour. In other words, someone is preveting Kenyans from being PRODUCTIVE.

    NB: We do not like the word employment. We do not need to be employed.

    We only need to be productive. One may be employed, but, be a tyrant (presidents) and an idler like PLO Lumumba, son of Nyachae and such.

    During the CONstitution debate, we insisted until some thought we are mad, that, without serious LAND REFORMS, and MONETARY REFORMS all shall be in vain. In other words, should yopu desire real change, focus on these.

    At the same time, many were busy debating presidential v parliamentary system, the number of MPs and such USELESS issues. Now, we have all this, so what now?

    Now, when they realise their wonderful CONstitution means NOTHING, instead of facing the REALITY, they hide under more illusions, delusions and childish fantasies that, the GOK should feed starving Kenyans, etc etc.

    To ask the GOK to feed, clothe, educate, f#4ck our wives etc, is to say this:

    (a) Increase our taxation.
    (b) To tax us more, is to invite more corruption.

    To avoid (a) and (b), then, we are asking the GOK to:

    (aa) Borrow money from FUTURE generations, curtail the PURCHASING POWER of the future generations.
    (bb) to borrow, means two things:

    (i) more taxation to pay the loans and interest in the near future, i.e. postponed (a) above and thereby, reduced PURCHASING POWER.
    (ii) create inflation,i.e. reduce PURCHAISNG POWER.

    So, when Chris and his friends say, GOK feed us, he and others are asking for the above. To such Satanic philosphy, we say, NO.

    Unfortunately, when the GOK succumbs to demands to feed us, employ son of Nyachae, PLO etc, and the envitable results as we note above, Kenyans will yell once again, why is the GOK not able to reduce inflation for instance.

    Now, watch this, and see if you notice something:

    (a) The Chairman of KMA.

    http://is.gd/OQr1Vf

    (b) British minister on RATES in the UK and their function in EXPORTS.

    NB: Exoports to who?

    Compare that, and what we have under "INDEPENDENT" CBK you put in your CONstitution:

    http://is.gd/V11IN0

    NB: Cable, like the rest of the FOOLS, does not get it, but, he raises some interesting issue.

    Anyway, we are off to enjoy:

    what a shame what a shame
    for the day dat we where born
    we NEVER seen the RIGHT dollar here
    only the COUNT of FEAR we a see oh!

    Bring BACK the money with the sign of the LION money
    Me say fe get back the money with the sign of the DRAGON money
    dat we no use him no no
    Bring back the money with the sign of the Lion money
    Me say fe get back the money with the sign of the dragon money

    http://is.gd/VaPC8v

    ReplyDelete
  29. To Mwarang'ethe at 7/28/11 1:20 AM

    Thank You for your constructive Answer detailing the root causes and specifics of the current Kenyan Situation.

    I agree with your perspective on being Productive over just employed somethingf I had not considered at the time of my post.

    I think besides a background and corruption check publicholders office holders should also undergo a productivity test to see whether they can validly turn thier philosophies and policies in to actual benefical production. MP's should not be spared either as they should show prior to taking office how they can bring or promote productivity in Faming small businesses prior to being vetoed for office as they all have a role in administering CDF funds

    Akheillus

    ReplyDelete
  30. A government that cannot feed its people has no business being in power. the only reason they will be voted back into power next year is because some Kenyan voters never learn their lesson. This is what makes Kenyans fight for nothing during election periods

    ReplyDelete
  31. Kenyans should have more erections that elections..

    ReplyDelete
  32. A government that cannot feed its people has no business being in power.

    xxx

    How does a government feed its people?

    No government has any manna to give the masses. No doubt, many governments have tried this from the days of WELFARE in Rome. Where did Rome get the grains to feed its masses? By LOOTING Egypt.

    But, how did it end? In an economic disaster. Look at our NEW Rome today.

    A government has no wealth to give anyone. Simply, the GOK can only give X something after robbing Y.

    The question is, how does a society founded on ROBBERY become a society of JUSTICE? Can't you see the evident contradictions?

    When you say, "its people," do you mean the government owns the people or what?

    xxx

    Let us give a REAL example. A few months ago, we were informed by the GOK mama, that, before an engineer could look at our well, we must part with KES 25, 000.

    In their SPECIAL MADNESS, they tell us that, this is called VALUE ADDED TAX. Only DERANGED minds can understand CURTAILMENT of PRODUCTIVE WORK as "value adding." Anyway, this is what they teach at IVY LEAGUE of FOOLS.

    This KES 25 k, would have been devoted to say growing more SUKUMA WIKI.

    Having taken the money, the SAVIOR STATE, has decided that, since it has to FEED the hungry, we will not see this money until God knows when. We can assure thee that, by the time we get this money back, due to INFLATION, it will be for buying MANDAZI.

    NB: Assume there are a million people with such an issue and you will see the magnitude of wealth creation curtailment under your your new CONstitution.

    The question is, having robbed us of the funds that could have been used to PRODUCE more FOOD, which we evidently NEED, do we have more food or less?

    Or, simply, why should a man be PUNISHED for wanting to GROW more FOOD????

    This is what it means for the GOK to fed the masses. It simply means, making it impossible for those who wish to produce food, while PRODUCTIVELY engaging people. Unfortunately, such stuff, can only lead to LESS and LESS food as we go on.

    NB: Anyone who has tried to do something prooductive, will understand this. However, since most of us are EMPLOYED, we never come face to face with REAL ECONOMICS. As such, we can shout, a government that cannot feed its people bla bla blah.

    Anyway, since this Greek, let us continue enjoying: Time Is Getting Harder:

    They can’t get no food to eat; can’t get no clothes to wear,
    No where to lay their weary head,

    People are dying; little BABIES are crying
    There care is?! No sympathy!

    Think about the greedy, they leave nothing for the needy

    What about TAXATION
    kind of the in creation

    be CAREFUL what you are PRAYING for

    http://is.gd/U5QZWR

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have falen in love with Mwarang'ethe. Hate him or like him, the guy talks more sense that 1000 raila's uttering football madness or 1000 kajwang harping bado mapambano.

    Having read his, responses, one always feels like he has been living in darkness. I wish I was able to demand refund from UoN for having brainwashed me so much while taking a degree in economics.

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  34. @Anon 9:48 PM

    Let's just say that you have a right to your angry thoughts and bad feelings on any given day, let alone a right to your intellectual opinion.

    Our neighbours from Somalia, have an excuse for why their country is the way it is: a hellish existence on earth.

    What excuse do your kind have for the current dysfunctional state of the Kenya government, call it failed state if you will?

    Btw, how long are going to remain on the government's payroll aka social support services?

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  35. @Mwarang'ethe,
    You are welcome and it's always my pleasure to read your personal opinions @Kumekucha's open forum.

    However, there is one thing that I will never do, which is to stoop so low to your level of professorial fashion of trademaked rebuttals that are always laced with phrases such as "DELUSIONS, ILLUSIONS and CHILDISH FANTASIES."

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  36. Mwarang'ethe,
    All you have said is true and commendable,thanks for your input. It still doesn't change the fact that A government that cannot feed its people has no business being in power.I have no internet links or real life examples to illustrate my point

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  37. Since most of us are employed, we never come face to face with REAL ECONOMICS.

    Thanks for being candid, honest and for speaking on your behalf and the birds of a feather that flock in the theoretical world of home baked economics.

    First of all, let me go historical on your kind without employing the Babylonian or Hammurabi or Ancient Acadian economics.

    Lest we forget, state intervention has been at the core of the wealth creation and economic success stories, starting with Britain and Europe in the late 15th century, carrying through to the USA in the 19th century.

    And Japan, Taiwan and South Korea in the 20th century and now China and India in the 21st century.

    The steady rise of these nations, especially the Asian giants is a great lesson for Kenya and the rest of Africa.

    Issue all the rebuttals laced with Babylonian quotes if you want, but the fact of the matter is, India's new billionaires attest to the private sector's growth in areas once controlled by the state such as telecpmmunications, ports, airports, banks and infrastructure.

    Need I say more with regard to coming face to face with real economics?

    Other than to remind to keep your day job, in other words, remain employed until retirement.

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  38. Its was amazing to watch the zeal during the push for the new constitution yet we cannot feed ourselves.Clear case of pragmatism and ambition.

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  39. Lest we forget, state intervention has been at the core of the wealth creation and economic success stories, starting with Britain and Europe in the late 15th century, carrying through to the USA in the 19th century.

    And Japan, Taiwan and South Korea in the 20th century and now China and India in the 21st century.

    xxx

    What you say is is correct.

    However, you miserably fail to LEARN the TRUE LESSONS from what happened.

    Sample this. The British Economist, Jevons speaking about England.

    At its peak, Britain was manufacturing 54% of the finished products in world trade. As such, in 1865, Britain, was the trading center of the universe.

    And, the world (including Africa) was what?

    The world was Britain’s “countryside,” a huge plantation system feeding its developed imperial center of capital. Why so?

    "The plains of North America and Russia are our corn fields; Chicago and Odessa our granaries; Canada and the Baltic our timber forests; Australia contains our sheep farms, and in Argentina and on the Western prairies of North America are our herds of oxen; Peru sends her silver, and the GOLD of SOUTH AFRICA and Australia FLOWS to London; the Hindus and the Chinese grow our tea for us, and our coffee, sugar and spice plantations are all in the Indies. Spain and France are our vineyards and the Mediterranean our fruit garden; and our cotton grounds, which for long have occupied the Southern United States, are being extended everywhere in the WARM REGIONS of the earth."

    NB: What lessons do you draw from that passage?

    xxx

    And Japan, Taiwan and South Korea in the 20th century and now China and India in the 21st century.

    xxx

    USA had to go to war in 1812 with the British. Have you ever studied the ECONOMIC origins of that war?

    Japan was given:

    (a) American/Western market after 2WW. The HUNTED RACE, were denied this. Do you get that?

    (b) S.Korea got capital from supplying the USA army during the Korean and Vietnam war. Japan, also, benefitted from the wat LOOTING contracts.

    Do you understand this?

    (b) Taiwan. Well, you better read the history of this Island before you get confused by things you do not understand.

    NB: As a tip, about 73% of Taiwan's TAX comes from LAND value. As a result, just like Hong Kong, Singapore, is the HEAVEN for INDUSTRIALISTS.

    Do, you get that?

    (c) China was a deal between the USA and China. Remember the Nixon's visit in 1972? Do you know what was it all about?

    More so, if you have not noticed, and we would be very surprised if you have, locating of Western Manufacturing in China is not an accident. It is a well done strategy of NEO - FEUDALISM.

    You better study carefully these things so that, you are not caught in shallow thinking and analysis.

    The point we are making is this. The centers of CAPITAL are at war with the HUNTED RACE.

    This being the case, we cannot afford the same strategy like Japan. We must be smart like a snake.

    As a matter of fact, the Asians and Europeans will JOIN hands to HUNT the Africans together. In other words, the HUNTED RACE is now facing two masters.

    You better understand these things before it is too late.

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  40. "No government has any manna to give the masses."

    This is so funny and so apt. You just got to dig Mwarangethe.

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  41. Man! we should send donations via MPESA to feed the nation fund!

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  42. Getting a grip of the heart of the matter is far more helpful in understanding why the government has failed to facilitate the procurement and provision of "manna to the masses."

    Do some of us ever wonder or even ask ourselves why there is a perennial starvation in the eastern and north eastern regions of the Kenya, and while there is zero starvation in some of the remotest places in the world, such as Herat, Qala-yi Nu, Chaghcharan, Samangan, Bazarak, Pul-i Alam, Khost, Spin Boldak, or Taluqan with a population of over 28,395,716 million?

    It all boils down to infrastructure which makes all the difference between the two distant worlds.

    A noninvasive method gets right to the heart of the matter in assessing why some regions are prone to constant bouts of starvations.

    As far I am concerned, manna - production of goods and services, and also distribution of finished productes for the matkets and basic social services - would flow or drop so easily throughout the eastern, north eastern and other affected regions of the country if only the physical components of interrelated systems providing commodities and services - and not "free manna to the masses" - essential to enable sustain, or enhance societal living conditions had already been put in plcae by a reponsible government.

    The Kenya government is akin to a patient with coronary artery disease, the vessels do not dilate normally and there is no increase in blood flow.

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  43. Mwarang'the you always like talking about imperialists I wonder do you pulsate to sleep with a white woman? Tell the truth and shame the devil!
    Every Negroid man biggest dream is to sleep with a white woman. Thats how much you have been enslaved.

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  44. Excuse me for the sidebar comment at Kumekucha, at a time when thousands of Kenyans are still of dying starvation. Truth be told, money is not all that it's meant to be, it's not everything life. An individual was lucky enough to secure a $12.8 million four-year contract, plus a bonus of $3 million in cash. Now, anyone would have assumed that the lucky individual was going to enjoy life because he was set for life. But then, as few years go by, life becomes very unbearable for the young millionaire to the point where he end ups committing suicide. Reason or motive for death is yet to be determined because money didn't seem to be the culprit or one of the causes. The deceased, in his mid-late 40s, left behind a balance of $6.8 million, plus several prime real estate investments, a 1979 Cessna 340A, a Ferrari 348, a Countach, a yacht (BMW) and $3.7 million home.

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  45. Excuse me for the sidebar comment at Kumekucha, at a time when thousands of Kenyans are still of dying starvation. Truth be told, money is not all that it's meant to be, it's not everything life.

    xxx

    Once you succumb to the gambler's code of the Bourse you are done.
    After all, Hippomenes had only to lay golden apples before Atlanta.

    Remember this. The purpose of our schooling ought not to be to earn meat, but, to know the END and AIM of that life which meat NOURISHES.

    However, in a system organised by VAMPIRES, everything is turned into sordid aims and petty passions instead of:

    - Goodness,
    - Beauty, and
    - above all, the TRUTH.

    Anyway, we leave to enjoy:

    For Jah set I & I as a watchman - around Babylonian walls

    Man! Bust down Babylon gates - preparing the way - preparing the way for Jah People

    I&I should never hold our peace - while we are penalized day and night

    http://is.gd/naWOb4

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  46. @7/28/11 9:36 PM.
    Dunia kuna mambo yanayo julikana na yasiyo julikana. Kwa kweli, ya dunia ni mengi na hayawezekani kamwe. Wacheni Hideki Irabu apate pumziko la milele. Kifo ni sawa na kuzaliwa. Maisha ni mwaliko na kifo ni kuangana. Leo kuzaliwa kwa wengi, kesho harusi kwa wengeni, na keshokutwa mazishi kwa wachache. Kwa hivyo, leo ni kifo cha Hideki Irabu na kesho kitakuwa kwa mwengine. Mola amurehemu na kuikabidhi roho yake pumziko la milele.

    ReplyDelete

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