The sandy palmed coastal beaches, mangrove forests, the savannah plains, snow peaked Mount Kenya, great waterfalls of the Arbadeares, volcanic mountains, the Great Rift Valley with its lakes adding authenticity to its unique nature.

The lake Nakuru famous of its flamingoes, the ostriches that grace the savannah plains, cranes, impenetrable virgin forests of Kenya and the game especially the great migration of the wild beasts from Kenya to Tanzania at Maasai Mara, a great awe for many.

Consequently, the wildlife, multicultural society, landscapes and sceneries means much more than our heritage.

It defines Kenya as a nation enriched with tourism.

What an enrichment our country is adorned with?

Despite the many challenges affecting us today, For instance, aspects of terrorism, we still have tourists coming in to our country.

Tourism is like a unique diversified expedition left in the world, leave alone the Caribbean region, the Hawaii, bringing new technology, marketing networks, job creation, cultural exchange and ideas in the social aspects, cultural aspects, economic aspects and environmental aspects of enrichment.

First, tourism brings enrichment to our social lives. Cultural exchange is stimulated with the broadening of horizons and the reduction of prejudices amongst tourists and the h0st population. This is through interaction with people living in complete contrast to ourselves is an open mind, understanding and creating the desire to learn about them.

Tourism enriches our cultural aspects of our indigenous culture due to tourists’ interest in them. That is our dressing, songs and dances, artwork and artifacts and traditional food delicacies. Culture is enriched through contact with other cultures as it has enriched domestic cultures through new ideas and customs being introduced. Furthermore, it encourages contact and harmonizes relations between people of different cultures thus, increasing international understanding. This aspect has greatly been enhanced through community-based tourism and eco-tourism, which is a growing sector that accounts 5 percent of the global tourism market according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO).

This is an enrichment that tourism brings because a healthy culture must embrace the dynamics of interacting cultures. Moreover, it has enhanced the role and status of human in society as opportunity for goods in tourism is created and outlook widened.

Further, it has encouraged travel, mobility and social integration amongst people. Through tourism, we can boast of our hospitality.

Finally, tourism has enriched and improved services, the transport sector and has widened the range of amenities in many areas.

Tourism enriches the environment and the diversified biodiversity. It has enriched it through the improved landscaping and architectural standards in resort areas including increased local funding for improvement of local housing. In addition, it has promoted the interests in monuments and historic buildings and encourages funding to conserve and maintain them. For instance, the Tourism Trust Fund (TTF) (2006) set aside 4 million for projects in Northern Kenya to finance the Samburu Tourism Development Plan, managing resources for Kirisia forests and Keno conservancy. All these are efforts aimed at developing tourism and conservation.

Furthermore, it has induced tighter environmental legislation to protect the environment against pollution, destruction and loss of the eco systems. The landscape, heritage sites and wildlife has enriched the environment through the establishment of nature reserves and natural parks continuing the growing tourist interests and awareness to protect trees from economic and building encroachment.

The tourism industry has enriched all the facets of the economy in various ways: it has increased the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Also, taxes collected from tourists’ increases the government revenue. In addition, it has increased foreign exchange earnings leading to a reduction in inflation berceuse of favorable trade, improved the balance of payment deficit through increased trade, it has increased the purchasing power because our shilling has become stronger and more stable against the hard currencies.

Moreover, it has enriched the other sectors of the economy like the banking, agriculture and communication sectors, for instance, the Kenya airlines, because of tourism; it has increased its flights to many destinations around the globe.

In addition, it has attracted foreign investors into the country. These investors have invested in areas such as the information and communication industry, horticultural, agriculture just to name but a few. As a result, our economy growth rate is making a remarkable upward trend.

Tourism has enriched the economic sector by helping fund new infrastructure and facilities that the local people can use. For example, it creates employment opportunities for the people thus, improving their living standards. It is through tourism that local people are involved in the tourism industry. This has seen greater awareness to the need of improving and preserving our cultures; wildlife, landscape, historical sites, and natural sanctuaries, artifacts that have seen domestic tourism move a step ahead. Moreover, it stimulates and diversifies the economic activity in other sectors such as, local craft thus, acting as a seedbed for entrepreneurship with spill offs into other sectors.

Finally, our country’s diversity in terms of cultures of the people, wildlife, landscape, artifacts, historical sites have enriched the country socially, economically, culturally and environmentally. This is as a result of what we as a nation are endowed with that we can proudly say, tourism enriches us in all aspects of our lives and surroundings.

David indeje

Despite these major developments, it is a world that still faces deep socio-economic disparities across various regions.

A major goal of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO pertains to media education and youth development. Over the last couple of years, numerous programmes and projects have been developed to explore youth involvement in media.

Although, journalists and scholars have been talking about the emergence of youth media cultures around the world, young people are increasingly being excluded from participation in media.

It is in this context, participation becomes a key notion that needs to be nurtured. Youth participation in media is a key strategy that needs to be strengthened at various levels – local, regional, national, and international.

As a result, young people, working with a range of media materials, will produce
innovative content through dialogue and discussions.

This serves as a wake up call that, the acquisition of media-making, knowledge and skills, embedded in the lived experience of young people, offers unique perspectives, a vision and a voice that need to be examined to understand youth participation in media.

Written by John Kabaka

It is the wish of every person to see any idea he/she comes up with grows into something beneficial to the society, perhaps for posterity.

When Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya-ODM was formed sometime in the middle of the past decade, there was hope among Kenyans that indeed a political party that would steer them to posterity, democratic maturity and good governance had been born. It is hope that they still harbour to-date.

Just like the Democratic and Republican Parties of the United States of America, the British Labour and the Conservative Parties, the African National Congress-ANC of South Africa, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, and to some extend Chama cha Mapinduzi of Tanzania among others, ODM is the only political party so far in Kenya with a working network and grassroots systems that can only be compared with the fore-mentioned political parties.

In the past few weeks, Kenyans may have noticed a new phenomenon, perhaps the first one of its kind in Kenya. Messages of goodwill from the ODM Party leadership had been popping into their mobile phones in the form of short-message-service-SMS wishing them ‘a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2011′.

This is an idea which has come to pass. It was mooted, developed and made to be.

SMS system will be real time and Kenyans who subscribe to it will be receiving exclusive party news at-least once a week, something that no other existing political party has ever thought of and perhaps will only do so, after ODM.

Besides having a working website www.odm.co.ke which is updated on a daily basis, ODM has the most interactive community site www.chungwamoja.com. This is the only site where party members, supporters and the general public (political enthusiasts) can share their divergent views with the party, give ideas and also critic on matters affecting the party.

It is worth noting that a political party is all about people and the more the supporters the better for its survival and sustainability.

A party is not run like you would run a “matatu” business, you must bring on board as many people as possible to make it successful.

In short, ODM has gone digital. Unlike other political parties, ODM is more of a people’s party and is aiming at getting closer to the common mwananchi as others (political parties) think of emulating it.

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness. And getting closer to the youth through the social media is an achievement that ODM has made. Some politicians interact directly with the youth as individuals on social network, especially through Facebook and Tweeter and not as political parties as ODM is doing. It is a tremendous achievement on the part of ODM.

As the World is going digital, so is the ODM Party of Kenya. Some people may say this is an effort in futility but I believe that a man is literally what he thinks and what ODM is gearing to is what other political parties may want to do. But this will be way after ODM has shown them the path.

Through the community site, Kenyans are able to inquire about party activities, seek for answers to their burning questions, read through the party newsletter online and even participate in weekly quiz.

As Kenyans prepare for the general election, which is two years away from today, ODM is ensuring that it’s Party Leader the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga is positively sold to the masses, not just by way of mass media but through such innovative digital means of communication.

West Fm sponsored the event through advertisements, interviews and presenter mentions, ensuring that it was a success. Performing artists were David Barasa of Webuye Jua Kali band, Mandari of Kutalang’I and Kasembeli.

It was dubbed a cultural event with topical discussions on investments, education, the youth and politics, before the eventful kicked off with a lot of the top music from the region.

They say at night is when the truth comes out in various forms, especially after some alcohol has been imbibed. Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking. This adage came to its true reckoning when Hon. Eugene paid a courtesy call to the revelers of the vent.

He received a hero’s welcome, with the artist who was performing live stage, Mandari, singing in his honour. Robert Frost said, “Before I built a wall I’d ask to know What I was walling in or walling out.” This adage clearly defines the true perspective of Luhya politics, where politicians are walling themselves with some and walling others out.

Bukusu Online asserts that it’s a non-political group, which does not entertain politics or politicians and its apparent Eugene was there as a patron to enjoy an evening of good Luhya music and chat with friends. However his presence seems to have stocked the hornets nest with Hon. Khangati’s and Hon. Wetangula’s supporters hurling unprintable words and threats to Hon. Eugene. Accusing him of being a political prostitute in a constituency that was not his.

The fracas ensued and the night dance came a standstill for almost halt an hour when the music system was interrupted, with many alleging that it was done so purposely by Hon. Wetangula’s people.

Through unity of action we can be a veritable colossus in support of peace. No one can defeat us unless we first defeat ourselves. Every one of us must be guided by this truth. Unfortunately, this statement though will apply aptly in reverse to what’s happening in Bukusu politics and by extension the Luhya maze of politics. Hearsay has it that Hon. Raila through Hon. Wetangula and Hon. Khangati are being used to fight Hon. Eugene so as to give Hon. Musalia an easier hand at handing over the Luhya vote to Hon. Raila come 2012.

Earlier on during the Vihiga cultural fete, Hon. Musalia said, “we are not ready yet to go for the high seat, look at the divisions we are having in the region, everyone says he wants to go for it that means, and we already have divided votes. How do you think we can make it with such divisions,”.

Mudavadi was speaking in response to the Member of Parliament for Saboti Eugene Wamalwa who said he was ready to marshal all the members from North Rift and himself to support him as a presidential candidate.

“We are telling our brother Musalia Mudavadi ,do not fear, we have what it takes to produce the next presidential candidate, we should not fear, and I will not fear,” Eugene said. The people who had come to witness the cultural fete cheered him supporting his view and stand.

However, Hon Musalia Mudavadi boldy said that until all the leaders fronting him from the region would call him with his people and declare publicly that (he) was the right candidate adding that no single individual would make it to the top seat. To this, people jeered him and called him a spoiler.

“For us to rise up to power, we need a very solid political party to rise up there. But nowadays every leader thinks he owns a party and will never want any other hopeful to use it,” Musalia said.

Mudavadi will however get support from Eugene Wamalwa if he is given a chance to carry the ODM presidential ticket, if not; Wamalwa said he is ready to accommodate him into the Ford Kenya party.

‘To pull together is to avoid being pulled apart”.

Who is the best candidate? Who meets the criteria of the people? Who ican stand alone? These are questions on the lips of everyone and time will tell.

I believe he has already started sending cold shivers in some politicians who are out to destroy his vision of becoming president come 2012. Rumour has it that the fights between him and Hon. Wetangula contributed heavily to his scuffle with the police and also caused a conference to be cancelled in Bungoma, in which Wetangula was not scheduled to perform.

However in my on view Raila may be behind this, through Wetangula, who has been seen as a sell out among the bukusus, after his utterance at Nyayo Stadium during the celebrations on 12th that the American people were using youth leaders in Kenya to pin them down politically and they had to hire the police officers in dispersing the crowd in Kamukunji.

Question is, will they stop Eugene’s moment, especially with the youth? And what will happen if and when he decides to work with the people from North Rift? Well, time will tell…

MKHANA MUCHARIA.

The approval is long overdue because many communities have felt the consequences that are being caused by climate change as a result of not conserving our resources, poor crop yields, and delay in rains and erratic weather patterns.

These have made them to become conscious of what the environment means to them.

On the other hand, as climate change has risen on the development agenda, so has the demand for research to understand the effects it will have on society and what can be done by governments, businesses, communities and households to deal with its impacts.

The rapid increase in development assistance funding for climate change has brought with it opportunities to scale up work on development and poverty reduction.

The government’s effort to come to the fore front to put the push for a “green economy” at the core of the development agenda is a wakeup call for all of us to come on board in a participatory manner to reduce high pollution and accumulation of toxic waste, and greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

It is not time to wait upon the government to come and bail us out but to be able to implement climate change policies aimed for adaptation interventions to sustain the meager resources we have.

As a result of collective efforts, evaluation of community initiatives of integrating the various activities undertaken in conservation, and the impact on national policy making and on the local livelihoods will be achieved in the long run.

Author: Indeje David

Having sugar factories in a constituency should always be seen as a blessing to the area residents, through employment and also as a way of enhancing togetherness, that is vital to the society.

West Kenya sugar factory should not fear competition from the Butali sugar factory, where there is competition business thrives well, hence a great challenge to those who have delayed Butali’s license of operation.
Farmers should not be made to suffer in the end result, they also have families that depend on them.

Unfortunately their hopes were shut down when Security Minister George Saitoti was picked to act as Foreign Minister while the investigations go on.

Most people had proposed on Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli MP for Bumula or MP for Saboti, Eugenie Wamalwa but the appointing authority thought otherwise. This has clearly set the stage for Kibaki’s succession plan.

The challenge is left to the common mwananchi to choose on the right leaders who can represent them well

Mukhana Mucharia.

I NEVER knew that despite all the mass media awareness across the country, we still have Kenyans who perpetuate inhumanity even where the most insensitive dog would see mercy, love, care and protection.It in fact, it is bizarre to even imagine of I, or any right minded person, to think of something that would harm a cockroach that is loitering in the rocks far away from the tasty meat stew or even bread safely stored in a fridge in a well closed house.First, killing is a sin clearly spelt out in the Holy Book and it carries with it a grave punishment that is death without forgiveness in the first place, and we also have it in our supreme law, the constitution.In the same bestseller, only a select few instances are allowed for one to kill. But it is not just like any other killing spree but it rather should be spiritually oriented and with an intention of safeguarding the purity of the children of God and their life as was the case with the Israelites when they were fleeing the Egyptians.Any Christian child who has ever passed through the doors of Sunday school will attest to having been taught that the soldiers pursuing the anointed tribe of God were all drowned in the mighty waters of river Nile by the power of the most high.And that David, when he was being pursued by his enemies, with the might of his God powered army, killed the enemies because God had purpose to safeguard him, and he remains the most revered leader and father of the most wise person to ever live on planet earth.For more insight, remember the little army that was ordered by God not to fear anything as he was in control and he set them forth to go round the wall of Jerusalem blowing horns, singing and all sorts of noise and the walls came down killing the enemies? That was also in protection of his blessed ones.And even the father of faith, the father of Israel and the nations, Abraham, was ordered by God to kill his only son Isaac and the motive of it all was to test the faith, obedience and trust of Abraham and it was beyond expectation. I think the Lord was surprised if not shocked by Abraham’s action.The greatest of them all, is the death of our Lord Jesus Christ for our sake. He died to protect us from the wrath of God. We would be nowhere today had he not accepted to be killed. Maybe, there could have been no human race today if he did not die.Now, I am not an ordained preacher but the reason of all this is pegged on a recent happenings in the country and in other countries where some knock heads had found trading commodities from fellow human beings.Earlier this year, I was astonished with a one George Gichuki who had been salivating to kill a physically disabled child born of his wife of ten years.The child, Wilfred Kamau, has nothing to do with his inability as he was born deaf, dumb and blind ten years ago but the father will not take him in any longer than even when I read the story.The boy’s mother, Rehab Wangari, is a brave one as she stood her ground, despite the spirited vicious efforts of her heartless husband, to protect the life of the unfortunate child and I commend her. This is the true face of humanity.It pained me so much that even after the media reported of this humanity insult, the Ministries of Special programmes and that of Children, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, human rights groups, the area MP and then the Church as well, had not raised a lip against the other over this act.And before dust could gather on this one, some riff raff attempted to sell his friend for a few coins just to let this man, who happens to be my namesake to be butchered by some other imbeciles practicing witchcraft.I don’t know what could have happened to my albino brother had he been lame, dumb or even blind. It is so painful that even as I hit my keyboard, tears are swelling in my eyes and ……….I am particularly disappointed and embarrassed by the security ministry through its provincial administration and in particular, the local security officers that are the ears and eyes of the ministry on the ground on such issues.Does this mean that it only becomes a matter of human rights when a large number of individuals are killed? Does it mean that it only becomes a matter of special need when a building collapses killing people or when a landslide happens or poor souls are burned down by a fallen tanker? Or does it become a children affair when children are locked out of a children’s home in Nairobi? What about security? Is it when riff raffs gain entry to the country courtesy of porous borders or when rustlers unleash terror or insecure persons arm themselves for their own security?Where is the humanity in us that one can decide to kill a person who has nothing to do with his condition like Kamau and Mukhwana?In this era, at this time, in this country, huh, it is unbelievable! I thought we had covered considerable ground in demystifying disability and inculcating a positive attitude towards our brothers and sisters who have this natural situation.People like Gichuki and Mutei are the ones we need to wipe out of this world. If I had the powers that be, this kind of people would pay the price for all those who have walked in the same path like his and could make a very good specimen for those with intensions like his.Where is our humanity? was authored by Obed Simiyu, a reporter with West FM.

Song, dance and jubilation rented the air as residents witnessed as machines at the Pan Paper mills, now renamed Webuye Paper Mills, rolled again and roared with thick black smoke rising into the skies through the corroding chimneys under the watch of President Mwai Kibaki.

Truly, the plant sustained the livelihood of over 80,000 residents of the town and beyond thus it was a dream come true with the president expressing the government’s commitment to supporting the factory resume full operation.

And when he rose, amid a thunderous applaud from the over excited crowd, the president, beaming with a heavenly smile said, “I am happy that we are re-opening the Pan Paper Mills. This demonstrates our commitment to supporting local investments as vehicles for economic growth,” as he switched on power at the factory and the machines began roaring again at noon.

He said then that the revival of the factory would create employment for the people of Webuye in western Kenya and spur the economic growth of the entire East African region. What a a brilliant promise from a senior economist?

The Pan Paper Mills was closed on February 18, 2009, after the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) disconnected electricity over a Sh100 million power bill.

More than 4,000 workers lost their jobs and Webuye town began sliding back to poverty. Past management indicated since 1997, the performance had deteriorated due to various external factors, among them high energy prices.

With its revival, two of the four mills at the factory were shut again just a few days later leaving more than 400 people who had been recalled jobless. Sources said mills Number One and Four have been shut for lack of funds.

They said mill Number Two was vandalized beyond repair. Moreover, it has also emerged that there are no raw materials and the company was relying on waste paper because only Sh500 million had been released to revive the mills, yet more than Sh1.1 billion was required.

This begs the question, “Should the paper industry now be considered strategic for Kenya especially to the Bungoma County residents and the larger Western region?

At the time of the establishment of the mill, the Webuye area used to be a heavily forested region and formed part of the Kakamega Indigenous Forest.

The mill’s demand for wood had turned the area barren and the company trucks now had to travel for many miles to get the all important raw material, trees.

A major cause of concern of the district is the effluents from the major industries namely Pan Paper Mills at Webuye and E.A. Heavy Chemicals which have degraded the environment of the surrounding areas, due to improper management of industrial waste.

These effluents are usually discharged into Nzoia River and the surrounding atmosphere, hence polluting water and air, killing fish in Nzoia and Lwakhakha Rivers. People from as far as Kakamega town attest that they could smell the foul orduor emitted to the air by the mills especially early in the morning and late in the evening.

Pipe promises

With its closure, a string of intriguing political promises followed about its reopening but what the Government does not want to admit is that the closure of the plant put it in a catch 22 situation. Even if it was to keep the opportunists at bay, still there are more moral questions that the Government has to contend with.

Foremost; should have the government reopened the plant in total disregard of the scientific evidence showing the dangers that this plant exposes people to? Secondly; even if we presuppose that the management will be streamlined; would it not be prudent for the Government to minimize the hazardous emissions first, before the plant reopens?

And, will the minimization of pollution levels be cost effective? Third; knowing very well that the plant’s consumption of trees far outpaces the rate at which trees are replanted, shall we not be going against our resolve of conserving our vital water towers? and the 10 per cent farmland a forestation call by the same President?

In view of the foregoing, it is our considered view that the social impact assessment, environmental impact assessment, and the cost benefit analysis associated with the reopening of the plant are all in the negative.

Aware of these issues, the Government must not keep the hopes of the residents alive in futility. It must take a bold step and inform them that it is in their own interest and that of the country that the plant be re-established as mult-sectoral.

The sub-sector contributes to poverty reduction, employment and wealth creation in Kenya through effective planning and implementation of mult-sectoral programmes and projects that create meaningful development and wealth creation for the county.

Industrial policy remains controversial. Defined as the attempt by government to promote the growth of particular industrial sectors and companies, there have been successes, but also many expensive failures. Policy may be designed to support or restructure, struggling sectors, such as Webuye Paper Mills, or to try to integrate new industries, such as cement, quarry, hydroelectric generation company, or become a substitute to Nzoia Sugar Factory.

Neither tack has met with much success. The government rarely evaluate the costs and benefits properly. Lessons from the past The lessons of the past are clear. First, the more it is in step with a national or local economy’s comparative advantage, the more likely industrial policy is to succeed.

Drives to spur high-tech entrepreneurship in areas of heavy manufacturing, for instance, face a struggle. According to the World Bank, following comparative advantage has produced clear successes for some developing countries. Chile, for instance, moved from basic industries such as mining, forestry, fishing and agriculture to aluminium smelting, salmon farming and wine making thanks to a number of government initiatives.

Second, policy is least prone to failure when it follows rather than tries to lead the market. Third, industrial policy works best when a government is dealing with areas where it has natural interest and competence.

The worst problems unfold when politicians intervene in purely private domains with short-term goals, bailing out old firms to save jobs or spending lavishly on white elephants. The present round of industrial policy will no doubt produce some modest successes—and a crop of whopping failures.

Alternative idea

Is it wise, therefore, at the moment the hot cake for any enterprising entity is throwing their feet into distilling homemade whisky otherwise known as local brews like Chang’aa which is popular in the Western region.

If our leaders were really out to revive the paper factory, then they could consider reconstructing it to fit the manufacture of another product apart from paper.

Who still needs paper anyway? With the advent of technology, paper use is going to be minimal, maybe for tissue paper which the government could decree all companies to recycle plastic products and make tissue paper.

With the legalizing of local brews, which are ordinarily pure untapped whisky or rather wines and spirits, albeit a precondition they be verified and certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), it could be important if distilling of the liquor was done at a central place.

Constructing a new plant and acquiring a distiller could prove so expensive than just rechanneling an already existing plant and acquiring the distiller.

It is quite impossible to certify all brews from individual brewers from every corner of every village, from now, every county across the country.

Consequently, getting the raw materials for large scale distillation that would pass for branding, certifying and shelving could prove a challenge to the brewers but western province stands a greater chance due to the heavy presence of leading sugarcane factories ; Mumias, West Kenya and Nzoia sugar companies, that are capable of producing molasses.

Molasses is a major raw material for high quality whisky popularly known as Chang’aa. To boost and as well as promote business opportunities for our people in line with the vision 2030, it would be wise if the government called for bids to potential investors to take over, revamp and turn the mill into a distiller factory.

Similarly, Kitale and the larger Uasin Gishu region is the grain basket of the country and it is just a stone throw away and thus passes for a good reason why the paper mill should be restructured to be a flour processing factory.

This, will be so beneficial to all western province and North Rift towards the larger maize growing region as they will have a factory to be proud to be associated with. The cost of transporting their maize to far away factories will be reduced thus more money in the pockets of the farmers.

Apart from being financial friendly, it will spiral growth of other related industries and with the devolved governmental structure, many people will get job opportunities.

The economy of the region, in this case, Bungoma County, which has already been singled out by experts as being one of the potential resourceful counties in the country, will grow by un-imaginable speed.

In addition, being an agricultural region, it will be of great importance to the people of western Kenya if the mill is turned from the over polluting paper factory to a more productive manure factory.

With paper, the environment is set to be polluted as many trees will be fell thus no rains, no fresh air hence diseases, hunger and underdevelopment.

Manure is degradable and environmentally friendly and thus passes as most viable investment for the people of Western Kenya, who despite having productive agricultural soil, they lag behind in agricultural productivity due to use of inferior manure.

Fertilizer manufacture wouldn’t be so difficult as raw materials are readily available around the region what with sugarcane leaves, peelings and stems that are left to rot while other farmers choose to burn them.

This could be the most cheap but productive investment. More so, such raw materials as sugarcane leaves, banana, leaves, maize stalks, cobs and other agricultural waste products could be turned into animal feeds such as hay.

With fertilizer from sugarcane leaves and peelings, this is a success story as it has already been tried with sugar factories such as West Kenya and Mumias.

On this note, a milk factory also comes in as another potential area of alternative investment now that statistics indicate that there are over 30,000 cane farmers selling their produce to Nzoia sugar company.

Now, suppose each farmer was empowered with a capacity to rear 10 dairy cows with each capable of producing 20 liters’ of milk per day retailing at Sh20 per litre..!.

This is a huge income to the farmer. In addition, this will not only be beneficial to the dairy farmers but has the potential to generate surplus capital to engage into other milk products processing.

Further, with proper success skills and innovativeness from experts, new forms of green energy can be utilized for the famers through tapping of biogas energy to use in their own homes however, it requires the political will to do this as well.

Political will that will provide an economic alternative creating another kind of development is imperative. It is feasible, and elements of it exist even in the present political-economic system.

Very briefly, it has to be based on two basic premises: Rely far more on the internal rather than the external market. The biggest driving force of the internal market is the purchasing power of the ordinary people derived from employment growth.

Growth of the internal market through rapid employment growth, requiring a far more selective approach to globalization, is essential rather than repeating the mantra that there is no alternative to this corporate-led globalization.

Economic growth must be the outcome of employment growth. Our benchmark should be a time bound programme for full employment. How much the growth in employment would contribute to growth in output depends on how productively labour can be employed.

Bungoma county performed poorly in this respect because a bureaucratized system of central control killed local initiatives. We have to start by rejecting simultaneously socialist orthodoxy of central planning and corporate oriented neo- liberalism.

There is urgent need, on one hand, to get out of the grip of corporate led industrialization by making agriculture and the rural economy the centre of economic dynamism, and on the other we have to break the grip of current centralized bureaucratic decision making.

A start can be made here and now by extending the present national employment guarantee scheme to an ambitious time bound full employment programme, and delegating much of the decision making power to the maximum to the local bodies.

They must have maximum freedom and responsibility to identify, formulate and execute local employment generating productive projects through the Pan paper factory.

The report was compiled by David Indeje (dburudi@westfm.co.ke), Obed Simiyu(osimiyu@westfm.co.ke) and Silus Kibet Kemboi(skemboi@westfm.co.ke).