The Kenyan govt, famine, wealth and squalor co-exist.

This is one of the things that breaks my heart and makes me lose hope in this world and this life: the gross inequality and unjust distribution of resources. We see this everywhere; just walking down the city streets you see the homeless and utterly destitute who have NOTHING! We barely glance at them as we rush off to our lives (probably dismissing them as lazy,psycho, drug-addicted bums who just use up resources--hey! let's be honest here!) Only to look beside them and see the loud displays of wealth: designer stores with merchandise equal to the GDP of some third-world countries, cars that can fund your entire education at a posh private university with pocket money and a ticket home every year, rich people wearing jewelry and outfits worth more than some people make in a year, and other blaring signs of prosperity. It is amazing how so much wealth and squalor can co-exist.
Now with all that in mind, the whole famine situation in Kenya is just like that. People are starving to death! As in they live life on such a basic level that if there's no rain, then that maize and maharagwe that they planted will not grow. Just imagine what mothers say to their kids when they're crying for food...Hunger is such a primal urge--you have to get it fulfilled coz it's about survival! But wait--contrary to popular Western belief, Kenya (or as many annoyingly refer to it "Africa") IS NOT JUST A BIG HOT DESERT! Our country is blessed to have different climates and geographical areas so it rains a lot in some parts of the country and they grow so much food that they have a surplus. But while there is a lot of surplus food in one part of the country, there's very little on the other side. My older sis and I have been talking about this situation and it so sad. This is where the government officials are supposed to step in, coz that is their JOB--didn't they swear to serve and defend the people? So, now let's change scenes and focus on the Govt. They are offering farmers credit notes to purchase the maize for the famine-stricken people. What the f*** is a CREDIT NOTE? Who will recognize it? What is it even worth? That is the big question farmers ask because they want to get the best value for their products-they've gotta survive too!

So the govt is SUPPOSEDLY broke, so that means the credit notes are worth shit! It's like when you write a check to somebody but you know the balance in your account will not cover it. Or maybe that check will totally clean you out. Whatever. Not a great situation. Isn't it ironic that the leaders of a "poor" struggling economy show up to a seminar on famine rolling in the latest expensive rides? Check out this article "Ministers step out in style" http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=35261 And the MORE important ones have to roll in a motorcade or just charter a flight...Of course, we know that important people don't go places without bodyguards, assistants, drivers, etc But please tell me, does that mean that your 3rd wife's brother's sons need to roll with you? It's not that there isn't any money, it's how they choose to spend it--in this case MAINLY on themselves. Come on, if you could choose your own salary and perks, wouldn't you give yourself the best? But what we see is pure greed. It is true that people need to be compensated according to their talents and job description, but if you are in public service you have an obligation to make choices for the greater good. I know this is a very idealistic concept, but we can make some parts of it reality.

To finish off my commentary on this I want to unleash views from some of our brilliant leaders. Kenyan Finance Minister David Mwiraria has warned that the government may soon have to cut its funding to ministries to cover the costs of the drought. Minister Charity Ngilu said her department could not cope with cuts to the health budget.
"I am urging Mr Mwiraria to instead increase the health budget because I believe that more people will visit health centres and hospitals frequently because of diseases related to famine and drought," Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper quotes Ms Ngilu as saying.
Now, I think anyone can analyze the situation using very basic logic--cause and effect. You could even draw a diagram! So the govt may "soon" cut funds to ministries so they can feed people. Does that sound urgent to you? Does soon mean before the year is over? or perhaps before the next General Election? And did they say Maybe? I don't know what kind of health/medical exposure or background Charity Ngilu has--but once again one doesn't need a degree or work experience to know that if somebody will "visit...hospitals frequently because of diseases related to famine and drought." you are just saying a person is Hungry, famished, starving and NEEDS FOOD AND WATER! So, it does NOT make sense to treat symptoms without looking at the ROOT CAUSE!! Oh well, same old sad story...