UN-Habitat and Municipal Council of Kisumu Inventive Project

A few months ago UN-Habitat and MCK called from proposals from all the wards within the council aimed at improving livelihoods through urban agriculture while mainstreaming HIV-AIDS and Solid Waste Management. On 23^rd November there was official launch of the project at Kisumu Social Hall which saw the announcement and receipts of the checks for the successful groups. In every ward, a qualified youth group and a women group had to be awarded a sum of 100,000 Kenya Shillings for either urban agriculture or solid waste management project.

 

Copy of a check given to Soul Brothers, 14 groups benefited from the UN-Habitat, MCK Projct

The in attendance was the DC, Councils Officials and UN Habitat Representatives and the beneficiaries. Key part of the project was at proposal evaluation and carding which was articulated by the HIV AIDS Desk of the MCK. To confirm the transparent nature of the vetting process, Soul Brothers youth group confirmed they did not know anyone or used any external influence, as the case of many such undertakings, to succeed. On contrary, they quoted obstacles they had faced at the ward level headship. They further said they would exert proper efforts to ensure their project prospers and if possible becomes model project.

The groups had undergone trainings on project management and administration organized by the MCK and UN-Habit and therefore they have no excuse when they do not qualify for the next phase funding due to project assesment failure. Youth projects especially those on peace should also have strategy that empowers youth economically as they get engaged in production for nation building. This is for a working a nation.

Bagdad Boys Movement

Mid last month, a transformation success was all over the print media on Bagdad, staid militia group stemmed from the early 1990s events, operational in Kisumu and its environs. Coincidentally, during the same time I had been exploring the engagement and transformation process of the same group, which was because of government gazzetment of the illegal militia groups in Kenya. The final report will be out before the end of the month.

Conversely I need to put a few items in perspective. The true founders of Bagdad movement have passed on leaving behind only three from the sixteen. The ballpark age of the founders is above thirty-five.  Initially, the Bagdad Boys movement was equivocal, a youth led and founded, justice-seeking and youth rights pursuing association. The group found its name from the Persian Gulf War, early August 1990 against Iraq. The group was founded on principles of unity against Moi’s dictatorial hardnosed, regime which had in the earlier months of the year, been accused of having hand in the murder of the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Ouko.

The group uncontained dynamics led to disintegration of the group in following years which saw the rise of smaller but more disastrous sub militia gangs with examples of Coptic, Kosovo Boys and recently Darfur Boys in 2007.

The recent article on print media has been miscued on the transformational process since it failed to recognize the vital fragmentation the original Bagdad has gone through in the approximately two decades. Little byline have likewise been given to institutions and personalities  that started working for the transformation of the original Bagdad Boys like the NCCK, CJPC, DIAKONIA Sweeden, one time Nyanza Provincial Commissioner, amongst others. To get a copy of the final report on Bagdad Boys operations and current status, please get in touch. 

Joseph Owuondo

Youth Leadership, Youth Conflict

Kenya is experiencing a cramp-puzzling-dilemma moment. Allow me to elucidate. There is absolute requisition of having new breed of leaders in our country. This is due from the fact that preceding governments and leadership have failed to meet the aspirations and needs of the citizens. The citizens want services not unproductive politics observed. We all agree. Recently though, there has been an examination on the reliability of youth to deliver the far desired noble leadership.

A lot of resources are being injected to youth projects and leadership preparations. Foreign governments especially the US have had a grander finger in this. This is a fact which has raised a number of trepidations. There have been consternations from the government quarters about the interest of the US Ambassador to Kenya and his control on claims that he his financing a Youth Revolt against the present regime.

Whether this is accurate or fabricated, one argument is valid. Who benefits from the US funds meant for the youth projects? There are undercurrents, nippily raging amongst the youth who have started questioning the credibility and sincerity of the already self-fronting youth revolutionary leaders. The youth displeasures are mounting and the self-styled youth leaders ought to know this. Today, this click of youth can be seen around US Ambassador in his public forums and in press conferences articulating issues and giving deliberations on behalf of the Kenyan Youth. The vilest comes when this group of young people call themselves professionals and elites. The carpenter or mechanic is a proficient professional in his or her own right since he or she is taking an active part in nation building. The groupings emerging in Kenya are thus early warnings enough to draw early response.

Finally, it must be acknowledged by Kenyans that this is our country, our territory and we therefore have a responsibility above everyone to protect and respect every part of it. Every Kenyan must understand the concept of sovereignty, the fundumental freedom, indispensable rights and duties given to us by the constitution. We must avoid fighting one another but combine our arsenals to fight internal and external evasions and colonization of our minds. This can only be achieved when our governance and leadership is not based on age, economic influence, tribe, level of education but ability to deliver, organize, pass credulity standards, and work for the people.

Joseph