DIASPORA CONFERENCE IN OKLAHOMA: A MOVEMENT TO FREE KENYA FROM ABJECT POVERTY

Dear All

Its is amazing that malaria is still killing millions per day in Africa and yet malaria itself has been completely wiped out in certain parts of the world. It is amazing that children still die of hunger in Africa. It is amazing that millions cannot afford schooling in Africa. But it is also amazing how many africans are politically active. Discussing politics all day long and blaming the white man for that and for this. It is amazing how many Africans are millionaires. As for me, Africa is too wide and too large. I am a Kenyan, born in Kenya, went through what a normal kenyan child went through. My world was that of limitations where having a pair of shoes is a luxury because we have to import it. A case where rice is only eaten when the visitors came and yet so many Africans everywhere are throwing away left over rice.

Now I cannot overexpound the state of poverty in Kenya in particular. Just last week, CNN aired a case where Barrylyn had initiated a project through world food program in which they were planning to raise $100,000,000 per year just to feed the African child. Infact the highlight was on Kebera. American idol was also in Kebera showing the ugly face of poverty in Kenya just a few weeks ago. Whether the money reached the needy is a question to be asked but is not a solution. Indeed these handouts are temporary solution because these children still remain beggars if the money is not put in projects where they can grow their own food or create industries where they can work for their own money. These funds though well intentioned are not regenerative and once they are dished out they are done and the circle begins again. Beg beg beg. The case of poverty has has been made. An African child is still at the mercy of natural calamities that should not kill any human being in the 21st century. Why? Why? Why? is all I ask. Why is Israel self sufficient in the middle of a desert while Kenyans are still begging for food. Kenyan natural advantages probably exceeds that of israel. Does it bother any Kenyan that his folk probably very close relatives are being aired in the TV as they are being fed crude poridge. Yes we can say these people are simply being paraded for the shake of making money. That could be true but if it is so, then it is because we have not known to take care of our own. Indeed it is because we have refused to do so. Moreso, it is because we are greedy and dont give a damn.

This article is not intended to ridicule anyone, it is to jog your ego, to agitate your pride. It is intended to let you know that you may be considered a nobody where you are but if we stand together we move mountains.

Normally, our fingers point at the MPs, the government, the president and so on and so on and we fail to recognise that the rest of the fingers are pointing at us.

A case example is Nyanza. A land that can probably be said to be flowing with honey and milk. A lake full of water in the barkyard and yet our crops are wilting due to lack of rain. Fish being exported to the rest of the parts of the world and yet our children die of hunger. Gold reserves even though they are not that big and yet we cannot make a cent from it. Like Paul of the bible, asked who bewitched us?

Whatever has happened has happened. What should not happen is that those whose eyes have been opened should not let a spider blind fold them by its cobweb using un necessary politics and stupid bickering. It is time when a previlaged African, Kenyan, Nyanzan, luo or whoever should wake up and stand counted for the benefit of our people stand instead of waiting for the handouts from a stranger for our own children.

All the people of the world that have succeeded in this course have done so through communal organization. Yes individualism is important but when you are the lowest in the ladder the only rescue is by pooling together your resources to work for a common goal. Such a time for this kind of action has arrived. Kenyans in the diaspora must come together to make kenya better. It is simple, just as we join organizations like KALONZO 2007, KIBAKI ABAKI, Raila, 2007, ODMK USA, etc etc with our resources, money and energy, we must do so to development oriented organizations. We have seen ourselves raise thopusands of dollars for political reasons, why not do the same for development. Untill we are able to think development and not empty politics we stand to be beggars. And as Chinua said a beggar's knee is always subtle, so shall ours be.

As has been advertised, on June 1 and 2nd, there will be a conference in Guthrie Oklahoma, particularly interested in mobilizing Kenyans to create development in Kenya (see below for program). The intent of the meeting is to start a movement that will revolutionize Kenyan economy and development. The diaspora has the power to change Kenya. You my friend in United state is the diaspora. Your one dolar is worth Ksh 70 and can feed an hungry child. Your one dollar can be directed into the right project that will earn you money and at the same time provide food and jobs for those that were not lucky enough to come with you to United States. While your money will help one person it will also make you reacher. The interest rates in Kenya is way higher that of united states hence your money makes better money in Kenya. I believe my high school economics class is doing well in this case.

This movement is a movement intended for our freedom from dependence on the western world. For how long shall we wait for strangers who earn much less money than us send dollars to our children while we sit down and say things like, "oh they are just collecting money to eat" "oh Africa is not like that, Africa is full of rich people" . It was time for Africa to rule itself and it happened, now it is the time for Africa to feed itself. Where are the liberators. Where are those willing to sacrifice for humanity. Where is the Dedan Kimathi, Oginga Odinga, Ocheing Oneko, Jomo Kenyatta of this day. They came to the west and learnt the white mans ways and used it to gain freedom. We have learned done the same. It is time to free ourselves from economic dependency.

Come to Oklahoma to make this dream come true.

Dr. Barack Otieno Abonyo