Date With Destiny

DATE WITH DESTINY

 Special Edition: Cultural Week Festivals

SYNOPSIS

A village girl, Kamene, is dating a city boy called Kariuki. Not only do they belong to different social strata but also they bear different ethnicity. Kariuki’s ambition is to contest for the County Governor’s seat against Kamene’s dad, Mzee Mambo. The rivalry advances to pit the youthful digital generation against elderly analogue era. Things get ugly. Will Kamene and Kariuki’s love survive the energy-sapping activity of political campaigns? If yes, who will win? What are the implications of this development? “Date With Destiny” is an attempt to disentangle the victims of tribalism from the yoke of ethnic hatred, bridge the yawning gap between the rich and poor and reconcile the youth with the elders. It is a must -watch. Kosa uchekwe!

Screen Writer: Musyoka Ngui

Scene 1

(Mzee Mambo is with his buddies drinking traditional liquor. They are laughing while sharing their experiences. He is seated on a log while the others Wazees sit on three-legged stools.)

Mzee Mutemi: Baba Kamene I heard that your zizi will need to be expanded.

Mzee Mambo: Namna gani wewe? Unamaanisha mambo ya ng’ombe?

Mzee Mutemi: I mean that word is going round that Kamene is courting a boy from the other side of the hill. Where we went to borrow salt and fire in the days of our childhood.

Mzee Tom: Mnaona hii area yote? Watu wamesikia sifa ya kijiji yetu. Wanasema tumeendelea sana. Wanataka kutafuta kiongozi wa jamii kutoka hapa.

Mzee Mutemi: I know what you want to say….

Mzee Tom: Ni wewe unaongea? Unataka ninyamaze uongee? Ongea basi.

Mzee Mutemi: Nimeacha. Hata nimesahau. Pengine kile nafikiria sio unachodhani. Watu ni tofauti.

Mzee Mambo: Ubaya ni kuona watu wazima wakiwa wanabishana kama watoto. Wazee inatakikana watulie. Waongee kama watu wazima. Wahenga husema palipo na wazee hapana neno.

Mzee Tom: Basi kama ni kuacha tuache. Mwenye hajui itabidi anunue roundi moja  ya uki ili niseme.

Mzee Mutemi: Bwana Mambo utanunua? Ni wewe hujui. Mimi na Tom tunajua.

Mzee Mambo: Ni nini kwanza? Kiongozi anayetafutwa anafaa awe na sifa gani? (Sniffs tobacco) Atchoo! Hii ni nini (Points at his white hair)  Hii ingine ni nini ( Touches his bare bald)

Mzee Mutemi: Wacha kuwa mkono birika. Ama ni mkono thermos? Nyoosha mkono wako ubariki vijana. Unatuambia taarifa ya uzee wako hapa na kila mtu anajua wewe ndiye mzee zaidi? That is not news bwana.

Mzee Mambo: Nitafanya hivyo tu kama utaahidi wazee hutatoboa siri na mambo yaishie hapa. Wazee sio wamama. Maneno ya wazee huishia kwa kikao.

Mzee Tom: (To Mzee Mambo): Toboa kabisa. Sema yote!

Mzee Mambo:( Calls his wife, Mukami): Mama Kamene letea hawa safari moja ya uki. Kopo ile kubwa.

Mzee Tom and Mzee Mutemi: Leo ni siku yetu. Baba yao amesema. Mwanamke harakisha wazee wanachoka na kugonja.

Mukami:(Pouring the liquor on calabashes) : Karibuni.( After some time they empty their calabashes. The scene closes before Mzee Mutemi spills the beans)

(Curtain)

 Scene 2

(The action takes place in a restaurant. Both Kamene and Kariuki are seated. The waiter comes over to take orders)

Waiter: His!

Kariuki and Kamene: Poaz!

Waiter : Mnakula nini?

Kamene: Ngoja kwanza tusororore menu tukimada tutakuita.

Kariuki: When we go for a family day out dad and mom sit at their place and me and Njeri sit on our table. Ka venye tumekaa sasa. What we talk they don’t hear and what they talk we don’t hear.

Kamene: And what do you eat?

Kariuki: Dad’s favourite dish is pilau chapo. Mom cooks that for him on special occasions. Like mom, I like chicken and ugali.

Kamene: What about your siz?

Kariuki: Njeri? Eish! Huyo hatakangi mafuta. She is sensitive to what she eats. Az in she is picky. She chooses soft and fast foods like spaghetti, chips and other take -aways.

Kamene: Acha nitafute kenye nakula basi. We inaonekana utakula sembe na kuku.

Kariuki: No darling. We must like the same things. You know love is about similarity.

Kamene:( Annoyed. To waiter): We Muthokoi iko wapi hapa? Ilete haraka.

Waiter: Hiyo hatuna madam. Samahani! Utakula githeri?

Kamene: Kwani umeona nikona machine ya kusanga mahindi kwa tumbo? Tuheshimiane. Ni mimi nakula si wewe.

Kariuki: Dear kuwa mpole. We can still eat nduma, ngwachi ama mukimo. Mom says they are even more nutritious than manufactured foods.

Kamene: Leta na kadhalika.

Kariuki: So umejam ivo hutakula? C’mon baby naongea na wewe?! ( Kamene shrugs her shoulders)

Kamene: Hii ndio ndema ya mwisho naangiza hapa. Ka haitakuwa tutacancel hii date. Period.( Knocking the table hard) :Waiter, lete mchele nyama.

Kariuki: ( Murmuring): Unajua we huku watu hula wild animals? Kuna Park hapa karibu. Usiitishe nyama ya ng’ombe ama mbuzi. Itisha kuku na uhakikishe wameweka headmaster katikati ya sahani kama evidence. Naivasha hii yote mpaka Nakuru ni punda, zebra, monkey na cranes. Chunga sana.(They are served as per their orders)

(Curtain)

Scene 3

(Same characters. Same settings)

Kamene: Excuse me honey, can I use the ladies washrooms? I’ll be back shortly.

Kariuki: Yes please (She was seated in the opposite side of the table. Stands up)

Kamene: Are you OK?

Kariuki: (Who is caught ogling and whistling at her beauty):  Ha! Me niko sawa. I was just checking your provisional results. The cleavage, the contours and the curves. God must have created you after lunch akiwa ameshiba. Watu wengine ( points at the waiter) waliumbwa na changarawe. Udongo na maji ziliishia katikati. Walimaliziwa na mate.

Kamene: No wonder wanakaa wanastand ivo. Na bado you have seen nothing. If you are losing your mind upon receiving only tentative results from our opponent’s constituencies utadu nini stronghold ikirelease matokeo yake? Tharaka Nithi bado! Stronghold nayo! Tulia.

Kariuki: Unadai nini? Ati ? I don’t get you.

Kamene: Wachwa hapo. Utawachwa kama vile mamba aliachwa na maji kwa ziwa wakati wa kiangazi. Final tallying bado. Hiyo tutafanyia Bomas sio KICC this time round. ( Kisses him and goes to the restroom)

Kariuki: Wow! Seating allowance jo!  Dashboard  hata haihitaji wiper. Mbele iko sawa. Flawless beauty. Nikikuangalia hata the very thought of you going to the loo does not cross my mind. You are an angel. Next to God. (Removes Kamene’s photo from his breast pocket and hugs it. Sings.)

Ukilala lala salama,

Kumbatia picha yangu

Matatizo chuki na wahma,

Vumilia mpenzi wangu,

Kumbatia picha yangu* 2

Kamene:(She is back from the loo) Who is sleeping? I thought we were eating. Gosh! You can make my appetite go away. Let’s eat first. Mambo ya kulala ni badaye or NEVER.

Kariuki:Ati what?

Kamene: You heard me.

(Curtain)

Scene 4

Mzee Mutemi: (Clears his throat): Hahaha! That uki has smoothened my body, mind and soul. It is exactly what is needed for a body that is fading fast from its former youthful state.

Mzee Tom: It reminds me of sour milk. Swirled in a gourd for days, inviting taste buds to try it. Pure gift from a loving wife.

Mzee Mambo: You must have a loving wife to enjoy a sweet pot. The black bird with sweet intestines is the best embodiment of affection for a husband from a wife.

Mzee Mutemi: They say the shortest route to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Any serious woman knows this only too well. Look at Mukami. Now look at Mzee Mambo(Smiles) Yeah, they are happy because they are taking care of that which sits among three pillars to be licked by red tongues.

Mzee Tom: Mambo siri mmesahau baada ya kulewa ama?

Mzee Mambo: Hamwezi kunywa pombe yangu na mwende hivyo. Mutemi, pasua mbarika.

Mzee Mutemi: Shhh! Mwanamke anasikia maneneo ya wazee. Mababu zetu watakasirika jamaneni. Tuongee polepole tafadhali.

Mzee Mambo: Mke wangu Mukami sio kila mwanamke. Usimtaje tena. Kama huna la kusema nyamaza ama ukawikie kwako. Hii ni shamba yangu na mimi ndio jogoo hapa.

Mzee Mutemi: Nilikuwa nasema hivi.(Pauses) Mnasikia? Sikieni vizuri. Eti jamii yetu inataka kiongozi mpya katika mfumo wa ugatuzi. Wazee wameangalia  na wakakosa watu. Inasemekana umma unataka Mambo. Binti yake, Kamene, anaolewa kumaanisha kuwa kijana anayemchumbia ataleta  ng’ombe na mbuzi nyingi hapa.(To Mzee Mambo) Anza kujenga zizi ingine mzee. Utakuwa tajiri wa kutajika. Kama ni hekima unayo. Angalia kipara na nywele nyeupe inavyomkaa. Kinachokosekana tu ni masomo. Kasheshe kanasema kuwa vijana wa jana watapingwa na vijana wa leo. Wa leo wanavaa suti, tai na wanaongea Kiingereza. Wana madigrii lakini Mzee wetu usijali. Tunaomba utawashinda.

Mzee Tom: Inshallah! Tutatolea miungu sadaka ya paka mweusi na kucha za mbwa na manyoya ya bata mzinga. Tukiongea na waliotutangulia miujiza itatendeka. Naamini Mzee Mambo atapenya.

Mzee Mambo: Ahsanteni sana kwa imani yenu mliyo nayo kwangu. Niko tayari kuwahudumia.

(Curtain)

Scene 5

( At Kariuki’s home.The political temperatures have hit feverpitch)

Faith: Daddy mipango inaendeleaje? Mmefika wapi?

Kariuki: We met yesterday and today we have a strategy committee to plan how we shall take over the reins of power of Kwetu County.

John: You are not doing enough. You know the other side, Ahem! The analogue era is approaching fast and gaining ground to triumph over you?

Kariuki: Dad don’t panic. We are in control.

John: You and who else?

Kariuki:  Kamene and I. My team is digital. Our troops are live online. Facebook.Twitter, Skype and Youtube. We mobilize our fans through the social media.

John: The trick about the youth is that they talk but do not act. Have you addressed the issue of voter registration? And that prostitute you call Kamene, their tribe has the tyranny of numbers. What do you have?

Kariuki: Dad you do not get me right. We are not herding Kwetuans into tribal cocoons. We are selling our ideology not ethnicity.

John: And mind you the elderly have money and means. They can manipulate State machinery to their advantage. What do you have? Nothing.

Faith: Son, I will stand by you. No matter what you have one sure vote from me.

Njeri: And for my elder bro, my loyalty. Remember how we grew up. The sweet nostalgia of childhood adventure, fond memories we want to relive. I pray you become the CEO. Governor Kariuki of Kwetu County.

John: That harlot called Kamene will spoil and split your election basket. How can you date our enemies? Remember the Mighty Samson, he was felled by a woman. Luanda Magere, sold out by a woman. Adam was also deceived by a woman.  What about you? A mere mortal. You will fall to her trap.

Kariuki: You know what? I have remembered something (Scratching his head) I have to meet Kamene and my campaign secretariat. She has agreed to support me even if I run against her father. We meet at her place. Let’s go now. Njeri, come with me.( Njeri clasps his hand and they speed off in a Range Rover.)

Faith and John: No no no! Come back here. What if something happens to you! You cannot trust enemies that way.

( After 30 minutes Njeri and Kariuki arrive at Kamene’s homestead. The campaign secretariat is holed up in a strategy meeting. Kamene hears the sound of a car and comes out to receive her guests.)

Kamene: Hi honey! Sorry for the journey. You must be tired. The meeting is on. Come over. (To Njeri): How are you dear?

Njeri: Fine.

(Unbeknown to Mzee Mambo, his rival has just pitched tent in his backyard. Wazees Mambo, Tom and Mutemi who were also strategizing [on how to rig the elections scheduled for the following day] come out of a tree shed)

Mzee Mambo: Young man, save your soul. You either fly or I finish you.

Kariuki: Why Mzee! A rival is not an enemy but your opponent. If the election is to be fair then the best man should win. No hard feelings.

Wazees  Mutemi and Tom: You see this sword and the machete? Tomorrow we shall kill you if you embarrass us in the polls.

Kariuki: What about my Chief Campaigner? My love and your daughter Miss. Kamene, will you kill her too?

Mzee Mambo: That cannot happen. (To Kamene): You are either with us or with the enemy. Decide now which side you belong. No watermelons here.

Kamene: No No No! Papa don’t hurt Kariuki. We have even planned to surprise each other if we win the County elections.

Mzee Mambo: Surprise? What surprise?

Kamene: We seal our union. We consummate it. We are so eager and thirsty to defeat you and your aging team. Then we go faaaaaaaar away for our honeymoon in Zanzibar. We get married.

Mzee Mambo: Mummy I am sorry I cannot grant your wish. We are in this race up to the finish line. No retreat nor surrender ( Wazees Tom and Mutemi nod)

Kariuki:Listen here.( Both analogue and digital teams pay attention) This is the last day of our campaign. We call for peaceful polls. Whoever loses to congratulate the victor and the loser to concede defeat. Anyone disputing the results should seek legal redress. Promise!

All: Promise! Yeah!

Kamene: I would like us to do a simple experiment. We should leave this place sure that there will be no tribal clashes. Me and Kariuki are going to extract blood samples from our middle fingers. Let’s do this( They do so)

Kamene: What is the colour of this blood?

All: Reeeeed!

Kamene: Very well. Right. When you go to hospital do you transfuse a Kikuyu , Kamba or Luo blood? When you donate blood do you instruct the doctor to label the blood your tribal tag so that it does not clot on the veins of the other community?

All: Nooooooo!

Kamene: Blood is blood. Red. Regardless of your tribe. Just as blood transfusion saves lives of people regardless of where it comes from or where it is going so should we work together for the prosperity of our County.

Kariuki: And that is the covenant we make today on the election eve. No bloodshed. Polls will come and go but your neighbor will remain. (Both rival teams are baffled by the wisdom of Kamene and Kariuki. They agree to sleep and wait for the following day, the polling day. Their date with destiny. Who shall win?)

(Curtain)

The End

Ruiga Pictorial

Top Essay

Editor’s Note: This essay topped Amkeni Wakenya (A UNDP Agency) Essay Competition of year 2012. The author wants to share it with serious policy makers and other players particularly those in international realm in order to impact positive change in the society. The views expressed here are his and not those of UNDP or its partners.

NGUI MUSYOKA

CHUKA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE   

P.O.BOX 109 CHUKA, KENYA

REG.NO.CB2/06558/11

BA COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA

EMAIL:nguimusyoka@yahoo.com

CELL: 0701033394

YOUTH FOR DEMOCRACY INNOVATIONS AWARD

QUESTION 3:

DO YOU THINK KENYA CAN ACHIEVE THE MDGs BY 2015? WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVING THE MDG GOALS BY 2015, AND HOW CAN THEY BE OVERCOME?

           No. Kenya cannot achieve the MDGs by 2015.This is because there are enormous obstacles hindering achievement of MDGs by 2015.However, these hurdles can be overcome beyond the set timeline. Practically, Kenya is behind schedule and she cannot beat the 2015 deadline. But all is not lost since Kenya is on the right track.

          There are eight MDGs namely: To end poverty and hunger, to achieve universal education, to achieve gender equality, to achieve child health ,to achieve maternal heath to combat HIV/AIDS ,malaria and other diseases, to achieve environmental sustainability and to achieve global partnership.

          Now, let’s look at the obstacles facing the achievement of the above targets. Climate change hinders curbing hunger .It hits hardest on agriculture which supports food production. It has resulted to drought, floods and unpredictable season changes. Farmers experience crop failure due to inadequate rains. Farm lands are flooded damaging crops and killing livestock. Again, property is swept away and the farmers’ lifeline is no more. These apocalyptic disasters have led to poorer and hungrier Kenyans.

           A tangible climate change deal has not been struck between developed and developing countries. The latter are proposing compensation due to the effects of climate change but the former are reluctant to cut their greenhouse gas emissions or compensate those ravaged by the effects of climate change.

Political instability has fuelled poverty and hunger. Ethnic tensions have led to massive evictions of farmers who cannot practice agriculture because the environment is volatile. Both local and foreign investors shy away from investing in agriculture because they are not assured of security.

Lack of political goodwill has added insult to injury. Politicians have not shown enough commitment to taming their poisonous tongues. What we are seeing is sheer perpetration of wild utterances designed to convey tribal tensions which spark violence further discouraging agricultural investment.

Poor planning and lack of proper policies have haunted food security. Myopic leadership in Kenya is either unable or unwilling to provide long term measures on this menace. Bandage policies need a permanent solution. It’s better to teach one on how to fish rather than giving him/her a fish.

Inflation has made commodity prices to hit the roof. The poor become poorer because they cannot afford the commodities they used to buy at lower prices before inflation .When it rains, it pours. Inflation has resulted to strikes, crime, prostitution and even human trafficking as folks strive to make ends meet.

The global economic crisis of 2008 caused massive layoffs hence depriving Kenyans of sources of income. This made them to be mauled by grinding poverty and their stomachs were invaded by hunger pangs.

Hunger triggers conflict. Communities start cattle rustling which further causes loss of life and property, fueling suspicion, mistrust and escalating violence. This stops agriculture as farmers hide from their rivals. Worse still, pupils and teachers do not reopen schools. As expected, this crisis hinders universal education, encourages poverty and increases hunger.

Universal education is riddled with poor quality. There is an acute shortage of teachers and equipment. Classes are overcrowded and teachers’ strikes are rampant. There is less innovation since the education system is hinged on theory rather than practice. Pupils’ potential is unexploited and those who cannot fit in the rigid system are written off as failures. Kenya’s academic landscape is littered with unemployed youth who fell out of favor with the 8-4-4 system. Despite possessing talents in art, design, music and modeling end up in the streets, idling.

Gender disparity has riddled universal education. There is less enrolment of girls than boys in school. Girls are constricted by retrogressive culture which perpetrates Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). FGM leads to early marriages and retards girl-child education.

The rich are favored by education system. The poor attend public schools which are synonymous with poor quality of education as the children of the rich attend high class academies. The result is an increased gap between the rich and the poor.

Bullying and drug abuse have led to massive school dropout which compromise universal education. Again, teenage pregnancy makes girls to discontinue their studies at the expense of sex pests who are alleged to be their teachers.

Poverty has caused education to be an expensive luxury for destitute parents. Such parents cannot send their children to secondary schools after completing primary level because they cannot afford to pay school fees. The fees charged are simply astronomical for them. This further exposes pupils to child labor especially if they are from poor backgrounds.

Corruption has dogged free primary education. Millions of funds are lost and the officials stay put. They refuse to resign, take responsibility or step aside to allow independent investigation into the alleged scam. Graft has reduced the resources to bare minimum. Schools are dilapidated, equipment are old and need repair. All the blame is heaped on Jogoo House which has shown inertia in dealing with graft.

Gender equality is a mirage if the current state of affairs is anything to go by. Gender disparity is characterized by male dominance in almost all institutions of the society. The community tolerates domestic violence, forced sexual initiation, rape and FGM. This has endangered women who find it difficult to survive. In fact, their dignity is at stake. They strive to gain or at least maintain their identity and independence but the storm that is gender disparity won’t allow it.

Peer pressure has encouraged gender inequality and girls discourage one another from challenging the status quo. Boys, on the other hand, would rather let a sleeping dog lie since they view this as utter challenge and an encroachment to their masculine territory. The society is hell bent on criticizing women and praising men on gender issues. It has perfected the art of double standards whereby men get away with gender based violence but it is quick to condemn women who dare dream of assuming masculine careers. Men have not been spared either. History is replete with men who are perennially “sat on”. They are battered by their wives and girlfriends and choose to remain mum for fear of being ridiculed if they open up. Those who try their hands on feminine careers are regarded as weak or desperate. The society has not accepted gender role reversal.

Child health and maternal health are intertwined. Both are related to HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. There is lack of adequate funding in the health sector. Lack of skilled personnel has dealt a death blow to an already struggling health sector. There are quacks and mid wives without a single clue on medicine. Traditional healers deceive patients that they can cure everything from HIV/AIDS to cancer and anything in between. Further, there has been mass exodus of doctors and nurses to greener pastures as brain drain take toll. Patients are left to their own devices hence more child deaths, higher maternal deaths and deaths from preventable diseases such as malaria, typhoid and cholera shoot up. The recent strike by medical practitioners demonstrated poor working conditions and lack of equipment.

Poor child health is fuelled by starvation. Malnutrition causes deficiency diseases due to lack of basic nutrition. Moreover, poverty has caused medical care to be costly. The poor are also ignorant of basic sanitation and child care. They disregard proper sanitation and end up settling in slums where their children are exposed to water borne diseases. Rape has increased child births, whereby absentee parents do not take responsibility on the welfare of their children. They give up on their children who end up dying due to neglect.

Lack of affordable comprehensive medical insurance cover has condemned children to die since their folks cannot afford the premiums charged.   There is scanty knowledge on maternity. This ignorance explains why a mother can prefer traditional midwife to a trained nurse. Sex education has become a taboo and it is discussed in hushed tones but escapism is no defense. We need to bite the bullet and confront the issue head on. It has been difficult to address HIV/AIDS scourge. Polygamy, FGM and multiple sexual partners fuel the spread of the disease. AIDs patients are stigmatized and there is no love lost between them and the HIV negative individuals.

Lack of resources has haunted the fight against poor health. The fall in donor aid on AIDS does not augur well for the health sector. This makes it impossible to sustain the supply of ARVs.

Environmental sustainability is threatened by climate change. There is no tangible deal barring green house gas emissions or providing for compensation to victims of environmental degradation. Atomic manufacturing and use of radioactive gases spew poisonous gases to the atmosphere.

Global partnership has not been a bed of roses. It is riddled with strings attached policies, imperialism, neocolonialism and digital divide. Kenya risks compromising its own sovereignty at the mercy of developed global partners. The United Nations is monopolized by First World nations which make policies that have afflicted Kenya and other developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Multinational companies do more harm than good to Kenya by economically exploiting her in the name of exploring mineral resources.

Poor transport and communication network has increased digital divide pitting the rich and urban against the rural and the poor with the latter on the receiving end.

 Kenya can still realize the MDGs despite incurring a host of lost chances. To contain hunger the government should introduce price controls on essential food products to cushion Kenyans from exorbitant prices charged by unscrupulous business people. It can also subsidize fertilizers and seeds to make them affordable to farmers during rainy seasons so that they can plant in time for better harvest. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) should step up research on sustainable food production by coming up with drought resistant crops which are high yielding. Universities should join hand with KARI in researching on sustainable agriculture.

Kenyans ought to practice family planning. This will enable them to bear families which they can support. It will also relieve them of the vicious cycle of poverty as they will be able to send their children to school who would in turn afford better health care after learning. They will kill three birds with one stone. That is, by family planning, they will end hunger, achieve better child health as well as universal education.

The New Constitution 2010 provides for devolution. If devolution is implemented full scale and with the well being of Kenyans in mind, I bet this will drastically reduce marginalization in Kenya. Citizens will be empowered to better their living standards. Resources will trickle down to grass roots to benefit ordinary citizens instead of concentrating in urban centres.

There is need to tighten management measures of already existing sources of funds to curb corruption by improving meritocracy, transparency accountability. Let Constituency Development Funds be managed wisely. That way we will improve our infrastructure and secure bursaries for bright but needy students.  

Kenyans should seize the opportunity to starting and maintaining Chamas (self help groups).The youth will be empowered to obtain loans, open special bank accounts and invest in business hence becoming entrepreneurs. They will kiss poverty goodbye.

Those near water bodies can start fishing to diversify their diet. Kenyans living in the highlands can practice crop farming and dairy farming. Pastoralists can keep livestock .In all these cases , the government should encourage value addition and formation of cooperatives for marketing the farm produce ,increased bargaining power and acquisition of modern agricultural equipment  such as cold storage plants for fishermen. It should offer extension services and veterinary services to all farmers.

There is need for innovative crop and livestock insurance to compensate farmers during disasters such as drought and floods. Insurance companies should lower their premiums for affordability.

Boosting weather forecasting will avert disasters because to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Kenyans will be able to plan ahead to survive the predicted disasters. The government should also develop alternative sources of energy apart from oil. Since commodity   prices are pegged on energy price, it is prudent   to develop cheaper energy from geothermal, wind and coal. Coal deposits in Kitui County can drastically lower food prices if fully exploited to run industries. This will reduce operating costs hence enable manufacturers to sell food commodities at affordable prices.

Kenyans should shift from rain-fed to irrigation agriculture to produce throughout the year. Sinking boreholes and constructing dams will ensure water is available for irrigation even in arid areas.

Universal education can be achieved by reforming the education system. The curriculum should be restructured to become market oriented and flexible to unique talents of all pupils. The spotlight should be cast on woodwork, metalwork, art and design and music. Science subjects should become more practical, more lifelike and research oriented. Affirmative action will increase girl-child enrolment in   school as well as curb dropouts. The government can sponsor bright but needy girls, provide sanitary towels and rein in on FGM which shatters education dreams for girls through early marriages and dropouts. Early Childhood Education (ECD) will form firm foundation for kids and teachers should be urged to pursue at least diploma in ECD.

Upgrading top provincial schools to national status will ensure more pupils access secondary education. Revamping village polytechnics will absorb those who do not make it to high school. This will also spark entrepreneurship as students will undertake project courses.

Electronic learning should be implemented to tap the technological advancement. This will enable the students and teachers to share knowledge with other schools worldwide. It is important to review the curriculum to ensure relevance of content, competitiveness and marketability.

The entrenched roots of gender disparity can be yanked by the bulldozer of legislation. The government should implement the New Constitution 2010 which guarantees that not more than two-thirds of members of elective and appointive bodies shall be of the same gender. In chapter four article twenty-seven the new constitution outlaws any form of discrimination including gender.

Both men and women need to be empowered through awareness campaigns, public lectures, road shows and other sensitization measures to enable them to be aware of their rights and demand for such rights if they are violated. The Sexual Offences Act 2006 should be enforced as it seeks to offer protection against gender based violence. Let every Kenyan commit to end gender inequality every day, in   every way. Educating the society will debunk gender stereotypes and encourage gender role reversal. Kenyans will become more tolerant and appreciative towards fellow compatriots.

The tri-pronged health MDGs have similar raft of measures save for case-specific remedies since what is good for the goose it is also good for the gander. Inadequate funding   has haunted the health sector .There is inadequate equipment and drug are in acute shortage and if the situation is prolonged there will be loss of lives. Further, the government needs to address the staff remuneration. Doctors and nurses deserve better pay if we really want to address brain drain. This will also boost their morale and curb strikes already manifested recently. The government should clamp down illegal medical practitioners who cause child and maternal deaths as well as fleecing AIDS patients in the name of instant miraculous healing.

Child health can be improved by immunization and improved nutrition. Mothers should ensure their children are vaccinated and breast feed them if they (mothers) are not HIV positive. This would boost nutrition. Well to do adults can consider adopting children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. They can also set up children’s homes to ensure that such children access proper diet and education. Philanthropic well wishers, NGOs and donors can come on board to support this noble cause.

Insurance companies should tailor their schemes to cover children’s medical health at reasonable premiums. To curb rapid population growth, Kenyans must practice family planning by utilizing contraceptives so that they can raise trim manageable families. The ministry of public health can waive maternity fees to enable safe delivery which will protect the life of the mother and baby. Abortion should be carried out by trained medical practitioner if the life of mother is endangered, as guaranteed by the New Constitution 2010.

Personal responsibility and behavior change can reduce HIV infections. Kenyans should be encouraged to know their HIV status, stick to one partner whose HIV status they know. They should also avoid stigmatizing AIDS patients and love them. More funding is needed to research on HIV/AIDS vaccines and to provide antiretroviral drugs.

To contain malaria folks should sleep under treated mosquito nets especially if they are pregnant mothers or infants.  Draining stagnant water and clearing bushes will go a long way in preventing malaria infection. It is wise to shun FGM, polygamy, wife inheritance rape and having multiple sexual partners commonly called mpango wa kando.

Kenyans should embrace   traditional herbal medicine. It needs to be researched on since it is environmentally friendly, cheap and may cure what the mainstream medicine has failed to. It is also important for Kenyans to revert to traditional foods as they are healthier and more nutritious than manufactured ones.

Expectant mothers need to shun drug abuse. This will ensure that they do not contract lung and liver cirrhosis which are life –threatening. It would also prevent giving birth to stillborn babies or mentally retarded kids. Moreover shunning drug abuse reduces the chances of contracting sexually transmitted infections as it encourages sobriety and wise judgment.

Stiff penalties should accompany environmental conservation law breaking. Let’s honor environmental conservation heroes and heroines. Kenyans should join Green Belt Movement in droves and continue Prof. Maathai’s legacy. The New Constitution 2010 Chapter four article sixty-nine charges the state with the responsibility of ensuring sustainable exploitation, utilization, management and conservation of natural resources. Kenya should also join likeminded states to push for a tangible climate change deal to prevent Mother Nature’s wrath in form of floods, drought and increased global temperatures. The time to act is now.

Global partnership should be based on mutual trust and benefit. It should be devoid of imperialism, neo colonialism and other strings attached tactics. To reduce monopoly in the United Nations, Third World countries including Kenya should push for inclusion of Africa, South East Asia and Latin America in veto power to ensure fair representation, balanced decision making and equality in global affairs. Kenyan corporations should grab the opportunity to set up multinationals in East African Community and beyond. This will expand her market and offer job opportunities to millions of Kenyans.

The government should consider applying austerity measures to cut unnecessary expenditure and direct revenue to more urgent and important tasks. It can trim the bloated cabinet, decline to buy expensive chairs for the MPs, surrender fuel guzzling cars for less energy consuming ones, reduce advertising and make fewer trips abroad. It should demonstrate undivided commitment in slaying the dragon of corruption.

Tourism is key in Kenya’s revenue generation. The government must step up campaigns to boost local and foreign tourism as it would mint money needed in achieving MDGs.

I believe that achieving the MDGs is a collective and individual responsibility because each and every Kenyan counts. Let’s unite to achieve these noble goals for a better Kenya and world at large. Once again let’s work hard and smart, be determined and resilient in firmly focusing our eyes on the bigger picture so that we may achieve the millennium development goals.