Economy in Focus: The Confusion of the Western Region

Economic empowerment is the only way that can make a nation grow. A people who are economically empowered are a people who knows where the country was, where it is heading and where it should be.

The political leadership in Kenya seems to be working hard in making sure that Kenyans are not economically empowered. They seem to be scared that if Kenyans will be economically empowered, then they will be more open-minded and start questioning things. Kenyan politicians thrive on the ignorance of the majority of Kenyans.

This story is not political. This story is not tribal. It is about raising awareness among our people. It is about making our people understand and see the reality of life. In this article, am going to talk about the Western region of Kenya, or you may call it as politicians do, the Luhya Nation. Am specifically going to talk about the luhya nation hoping that the NCIC will not misinterpret it to mean tribal and come for my neck.

The Counties found in the Western region of the country (the former Western Province) are Bungoma County, Busia County, Kakamega County and Vihiga County. A greater percentage of the population in these counties are the Luhyas and perhaps that was the genesis of the term the Luhya Nation.

First, before I dwell into the weight of this piece, let me hail the Luhya Nation for always being independent and not seem to be tied behind a single individual like other regions. This has been displayed on the way the people in these regions vote. The regions have had some powerful leaders who always thought that they were the kingpings of the regions but who fell due to the stand of the people in these regions. The region had a Minister for Finance, Elijah Mwangale, ask how he went down. Minister for Trade Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi lost elections due to the power of the people in these regions. Minister for Local Governments Musikari Kombo, once Vice President Musalia Mudavadi, once Vice President Moody Awori and many other who thought that they had the people at the back of their hands were irrelevant politically by the people in these regions.

Having said that, let me now turn to the agenda of the day. The truth of the matter is that the Western regions of this country are not economically empowered. Despite the fact that the region has had powerful leaders, holding powerful political positions, majority of the people still wallow in abject poverty. Some say it is because the region has been in the opposition for more years than it has been in the government. The reason might be partly true. The real reason I dare say is the selfishness and the confusions of the leaders from these regions. It seems as if there is a very serious and cunning demon that often rises from hell and cast a spell of confusion among the political leaders in these regions every electioneering period. These confusions have always left the region suffering economically. Someone once joked that the regions are always busy producing what they cannot consume and busy consuming what they do not produce.

Western Region of Kenya had one of most vibrant industries in the country. A closer look at those industries now gives nothing but despair and sufferings. Webuye Pan Paper factory, the once gigantic factory in East and Central Africa died a natural death and was buried. It was only recently that efforts are being made to resurrect it from among the dead after it was sold to Rai Group. Nzoia Sugar Company and Mumias Sugar Company are already in the economic Intensive Care Units. Nzoia is in the process of retrenching its staff and Mumias suspended its operations. Bungoma County used to have Kitinda Dairy, ask where it went and you will be left with no answer.

It is now coming more than clear that people from these regions can only survive in Nairobi. Going back home for them is like going back to an economically suffering region with nothing to fall back to. Poverty levels are beyond reach, people are still dying of curative diseases like malaria, hospitals are in dilapidated conditions, people cannot afford even two meals a day and as they pray for a better tomorrow, political leaders are busy preying on their prayers and hopes.

As the political wind continues to blow and as the top brass of the ruling coalition continue to criss-cross the region and telling the people that economic empowerment will only be found by the pitching camp into the ruling coalition, the future remains darkened. Who will liberate these people? If there is one bold enough, let him raise his hand so that the people can see him.