Extreme
poverty,
growing
inequality
between
countries,
but
also
within
countries
themselves,
are
great
challenges
of our
times,
not
least
because
they
are
a breeding
ground
for
instability
and
conflict
today.
There are so
many poor persons
in the rural areas
in Kenya. Most poor dwellers
of Marakusi are
peasant farmers, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet.
Erick Matsanza would
like to work with
the dwellers of
Marakusi Ward to
initiate activities
that would change
their lives starting
with the youths
and women who are
unemployed or not angaged in income generating activities and establish programs
which will engage school leavers so as to reduce the number of persons who join
the "boda boda" business
in Lugari but first
in Marakusi Ward.
The incidence of poverty in Kenya as
a whole
increased from 45 percent in 1990 to 56
percent in 2003 and has varies widely from 31 percent in one province to 65
percent in another of our eight provinces. Poverty profiles show different
poverty levels by sector of employment, occupation, educational level, marital
status, household size, gender of household head among many other parameters.
Hardcore poverty
is more widespread in rural than urban areas and has increased faster than
overall poverty.
There are countless statistics measuring the problem.
All statistics show that the situation is worsening and attempts to reduce
absolute and relative poverty have not been successful.
Local governance
has
to see
a leadership
that
will
come
up with
ways
that
are
more
practical
in their
areas
to see
poverty
eradicated.
Its
only
the
communities
who
know
where
it pinches
them
most
and
therefore
sound
leadership
is required
in the
local
government. Grassroot
leadership
that
invests
in the
core
infrastructure,
human
capital,
and
good
governance
accomplishes
several
things.
It will
convert
subsitance
farming
in Marakusi
Ward
into
market-oriented
farming,
it will
set
the
stage
for
technological
advance
and
eventually
for
an inovation-based
economy
which
will
see
the
people
of Marakusi
enjoy
every
bit
of their
personal
lives.
I am convinced
that in the absence of a comprehensive strategy to specifically address, reduce
and eventually contain poverty, the situation will worsen. We must examine the
impacts of all our economic policies with a view to achieving maximum impact on
poverty.
Erick
I. Matsanza,
is a
strong
believer
in a
multi-stakeholder
relationships
for
they
bring
everyone
on board.
He will work
with
other
leaders
and
friends
of Marakusi
Ward
to establish programs
that
would directly engage
disadvantaged youths and women and opportunities to strengthen their communities.
Development
challenges
are
indeed
complex
and
can
not
be addressed
effectively
by a
single
solution,
but
there
is one
common
denominator
to sustainability:
participation,
at all
levels
of policy
formulation,
implementation
and
monitoring,
then
shall
we fight
poverty
effectively.
Keep
Peace
for
a Stable
community.
Luhya!
Kikuyu!
Luo!
Kisii!
Kalenjin!
Maasai!
Pokot!
Teso!
Christian!
Muslim!
Hindu!
We are
all
one.
Brothers
and
Sisters
of the
same
nation
Fighting
Poverty There are so
many poor persons
in the rural areas
in Kenya. Most poor dwellers
of Marakusi are
peasant farmers, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet.
Erick Matsanza would
like to work with
the dwellers of
Marakusi Ward to
initiate activities
that would change
their lives starting
with the youths
and women who are
unemployed or not angaged in income generating activities and establish programs
which will engage school leavers so as to reduce the number of persons who join
the "boda boda" business
in Lugari but first
in Marakusi Ward.
