Re: [youthagendayln] Why villagers oppose Yala rice project

Chris, and Linus,
I have read your concerns, and I want to assure you that Dominion Group, is doing a good job.

I am not just talking, I took my time, in my capacity as Chairman, Yimbo Development Network, and visited the farm. My team and I were taken round by the co-director. Later we had a fruitful meeting with Mr Calvin Burgess, the President of Dominion, and Mr Grahame Velch, the Country Director.

Before that visit, I used to swallow all the lies peddled against Dominion. But now that I know, I fully support Dominion and all the great work it is doing at the swamp.

1. This is a swamp the Dominion Group is reclaiming and putting into good use.
2. Our people who did not have anything to do, are benefiting from the farm, either as farm workers, or suppliers.
3. Ratuoro Market which was dead, is now a hub of activity, thanks to the Dominion Farm.
4. Our roads which were neglected, are getting attention now due to the Dominion farm.
5. Our schools are getting support from the farm.
6. Lake Kanyiboli which was becoming stagnant, is now a fresh water Lake, thanks to the canals built by Dominion Group.
7. There is now more fishing activity in that lake. I bet that does not benefit the Dominion Group, but it does benefit the local people.

The list goes on.

I can forward to you my report on what were saw, what we heard, and what we thought of the farm.

All the rest, are just lies peddled to malign Dominion Farm, and more so, meant to consign our people to continued poverty, as other regions benefit from other multinational developers.

Why are we not hearing the Kikuyu complain about the activity of that multinational at Thika, the one that does Pineapple production in mass? I have forgotten the name. Why is it only our people who get incited to make noise about something that is surely changing the face of Nyanza and Western?

It is time we became objective, and looked at development from a wider prism, not from the pieces of silver paid to consign our people to eternal poverty.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi