Abdulkadir Gumi
August 30, 2007
Northern Kenya People ( Borana-Oromos) has continued to be a marginalized community where it has been ignored by politicians and developers in the rest of the country. Previously known as the Northern Frontier District, the North has been cut off from the rest of the country as it is inaccessible. Many promises have come to execute a Marshall Plan in Northern Kenya, but none been implimented . the Kenya government should ensure that roads that connect Northern Kenya with the rest of the country should be made allowing the inhabitants to develop a sustainable livestock economy such as that in Somaliland.disenfranchising Northern Kenya puts the rest of the country at a security risk.A few months ago, President Kibaki elevated the Isiolo Airport .from local airport to an international one,We argues that the President is not investing in developing the airport's infrastructure and that should not be only verbal promise without doing work on it to boost the economy of Northern Kenya.The report notes that Northern Kenya is known for its insecurity and endemic cattle rustling and inter-tribal and -clan clashes. These clashes encompass Moyale, Marsabit and Isiolo in Northern Kenya and other North eastern Region (NFD).
Since these two provinces are neglected geographically, economically and socially, the region is of little economic significance and to make ends meet, the pastoralist communities there keep large herds of cattle, goats, camels and donkeys. It is no surprise to hear people from that region venturing south say that they are “going to Kenya”. People so neglected must, indeed, find it hard to comprehend that they are part of this country. The livestock they keep has been their main cause of misery due to drought and the resultant inadequacy of water and grass. Depending on the location of the watering points and /or grazing areas, indigenous communities give very difficult conditions which may involve cash payments or payments in form of animals for water or grass. This results into violent activities, hence the intermittent skirmishes. Even though cattle rustling is a cultural practice since time immemorial - and is one of the mother cause of tribal and clan animosity -- political representation in Parliament and local councils have also precipitated and perpetuated skirmishes.
The principal causes of disputes over water and grazing rights, territorial aggrandisement and hegemonism, through the desire for political representation acquired a complicated and serious political dimension. We note that the communities in Northern and North Eastern Kenya see themselves as neglected and forgotten people, which in a way has fostered and inspired general lawlessness in the region. It recommends the Government take deliberate steps to open up the the region for economic and social development so that the communities in the region are not only developed economically and socially, but also, made to feel wanted.
All in all, the government should:- invest in water resources in the area in order to minimise undue competition of water during drought; stamp out banditry which leads to tribal animosity by keeping the Northern border under regular surveillance; improve marketing outlets for livestock to reduce overstocking and minimise pressure on water points and grazing areas and should improve communication especially road and telecommunication. What makes the situation even more serious is that the Isiolo-Moyale road was designed many years ago as part of the Trans-African Highway supposed to traverse the continent from south to north. Our neighbours, Tanzania to the south and Ethiopia to the north, long ago completed their portions.
It is Kenya which has been extremely laggard in the project. That probably reflects official thinking that development resources are best employed where there will be immediate and visible returns. So the trend has been to take these to areas which are already well-endowed. The need to open up neglected areas has never featured much as a development priority. Yet the benefits should be all too obvious. Such projects provide hitherto neglected areas with vast new opportunities.
Probably if the roads were better, the Judicial Commission could have visited the area and listened to, and documented the plight of the victims, as it did with other affected areas.
Northern Kenya population lives below the poverty line. Infrastructure is very poor; people live on average 25 km. from water sources and health clinics. The environment is extremely risky; last year a livestock disease killed 60% of the herd. Research on health, education and income sources is quite inadequate.
World Bank and IMF conditionality have focused on public sector reforms (privatisation of parastatals, civil service reform, reform of the judiciary); streamlining and prioritising public budgeting and expenditure (improved monitoring systems, the development of a realistic medium-term expenditure framework); and improved accountability (providing information on public investments, participation of the intended beneficiaries in all stages of the project cycle).
Much of this hardly touches people in Northern Kenya, or seems irrelevant to them. The government appears very distant. What people see is cuts in much needed social spending, increased taxation and many uncompleted donor projects. The winners from structural adjustment appear to be trans national corporations and some local businessmen (who have benefited from the lifting of price controls); the losers are smallholders, the rural landless, female-headed households, the urban poor and the pastoralists.
What is the role for Kenya Government in its policy toward these people and land in its dialogue? the members of parliament should make the voice of the poor heard, to monitor the implementation of policy changes, to monitor public expenditure, and to influence the design of micro policies. Perhaps most importantly: to run for changing the face of northern kenya.
Ethiopian Aggression in Kenya border and killing Kenyan citizen.
Very serious and ever increasing human right violation directed against the Oromo -Boorana Population in Kenya. Devastating effects of the Ethiopia Military action in northern Kenya border and its impacts on the social-economical situation for the oppressed people of northern Kenya under the pretext of hosting foreign rebels.The Daily human right violation and killings of Innocent Kenyan Boorana by Ethiopian security in northern Kenya towns and in Nairobi city. This act of aggression against Boorana must be condemned by all peace loving people of Kenya. It is very wonderful that foreign soldiers and security agents from Ethiopia can enter into Kenya easily and kill innocent Kenyan nationals. This has continued since colonial era but still Kenya allows this evil continues to be done against its people." The world need anger, the world often continues to allow evil because it is not angry enough.....Bede Jarre.
Northern Kenya people love peace and stability for themselves and for all Kenyans. Kenya is a beloved nation, the land of their birth, while Northern kenya people are lucking democratic, political, economical civil and citizenship rights.
Oromo-Boorana people occupy the northern Corridor; it is true that Boorana are part of larger Oromo who are majority of Ethiopia Nation. Boorana People of Kenya had a long suffering along Kenya-Ethiopia Territory. Unheard daily massacres that even pen can't write all the reports by human rights since 1990s.What is so wonderful and shocking is that Kenya Government had took decision with Ethiopian Government to get involved in Military action against Boorana People in Northern kenya and secret killing of Boranas by Ethiopian Spies under the pretex of supporting OLF. To add more injury on the heart of all Boorana and to make the matter worse.
Ethiopian is known to the world that they it is turning all Horn of Africa people in torn of fire and war. This military cooperation brings bad name to the long-standing democratic and pro-peace stature Kenya enjoys among its neighbors. It could leave an indelible scar between our brotherly peoples. Kenya has also been known of its neutral position on democracy and peace for it's and African people.
What still wonder me why Kenya shouldn't look at its future and future of its people and nation. Why does Kenya allow foreign country to changes its policy toward its citizen? Ethiopia is killing its citizens daily and likewise like Kenya to share the blood shade of innocent people. Logically speaking there is no time and place for Northern Kenya people Boorana to host foreign Rebels. OLF is no different from any other freedom fighters who were fighting for independence of there country like SPLA of Southern Sudan and MAU MAU of Kenya in colonial era, Kenya should understand that. The problem of Northern Kenya may confirm that Ethiopia don't like peace for whole Kenyan people. As they have manufactured tact's of beating one tribe against others.
We wonder why only northern Kenya is a place of Disasters and massacres. Is it only Northern Kenya where one tribe lives in different border? The example of Maasai Kenya and Tanzania, Somali Kenya and Somalia. Luo Kenya and Uganda and rest are living in peace. We are grieved to say that insecurity, poverty in northern Kenya was created by under-development, since colonial rules up to now. Kenya should learn from its neighbors? Kenya should learn how many Ethiopian refugees are in Kenya? How many of other nation? Do we like to join the record of refugee producing countries in the world? Kenya should remember the noble slogan of PEACE, LOVE and UNITY. Everyone knows that the name of democracy is widely known in Kenya than other African Countries, the current situation is evidence.
We can say similar things with regards to health, education, communication, and transport. No body is happy about the state of northern Kenya people and the developments. Boorana people everywhere are furious and frustrated about future of there people there is deep resentments for Ethiopian policies and involvements in Northern Kenya in particular.
To proceed.
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