figure this out.....

Water Still a Pipe Dream in Kenya,

In the 1990’s the Kenyan government came up with colourful proposals and spirited campaign which ran under the slogan ‘water for all by the year 2000.’
The year 2000 then seemed too far and unreachable, but it has come and passed and the vision is just another in statistics of pipe dream. Now as the world celebrates world Water Day, Kenya has nothing to celebrate about, putting in mind the perennial water shortages in the country and graft allegations rocking the water ministry.

But water shortage is our own creation MAINLY because this country is endowed with wide arrays of water resources in form of reliable rivers and fresh water lakes spread evenly allover the country. What we lack is a proper and accountable management system in place to harness this resource for the good of the people.

Beside abundant lakes and rivers, our country’s highlands are dowered with adequate rainfall all year round. Unfortunately, this natural wealth is not tapped. In stead of being a blessing it turns out to be a monstrous disaster when it flows downstream to drown and displace people living there. The case of Budalangi’s annual floods is the unfortunate example.

As we speak today only 19% of all Kenyan has access to clean piped water. This leaves a good bulk of the population exposed to water borne diseases due to lack of this so much needed commodity.

In as much as only handful of people remain accessed to clean water; the problem of inconsistency in water flow to the few with taps will frequently persist. This is simply because the large population that is inaccessible to water will always puncture the pipes to draw water from them, effectively cutting the little water network in place.

It is also worthy noting that more than 80% of all people accessed to piped water are in urban area. There is dire need for the neglected rural areas to be connected with piped water not only to avert risks of water borne diseases but also to facilitate irrigation based agriculture if the country is to achieve food security for its citizenry.

AMUGASHA KALENGEKA-KAKAMEGA

SIDE NOTE:

World Water Day
The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. This site started in 2001 as a community space and repository where people can upload their WWD event activities and reports. The theme changes every year.

This is the first time in human history that most of the world's population live in cities: 3.3 billion people ...and the urban landscape continues to grow.

38% of the growth is represented by expanding slums, while the city populations are increasing faster than city infrastructure can adapt.

The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.

This year theme, Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge, aims to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the defy of urban water management.

Save Water,Water is Life...some people somewhere are dying for lack of it.

AMUGASHA KALENGEKA-KAKAMEGA

LEADERS NOT SERVING YOU-THEY HAVE THEIR STOMACH

Kenya Has No Future in the Current Crop of Politicians

I have as much as possible tried to sit on the fence on the sizzling hot matter on The Hague but it seems I
can’t remain on the same position forever. Something needs to be made straight. And now!

First I would like to make it clear that the current political class is not there to serve your
interest, no, they have their only stomachs in mind.

When Uhuru Kenyatta is cornered because of matters of The Hague,we see him retreating to his tribal cocoon, rally his tribal loyalist and address them in Kikuyu to give an impression that their tribe is on the target here. So does Raila when the hit is turned to him.

What sycophants to these two leaders(if they are leaders at all) are not aware is that these people they so much hold in high esteem are not even thinking of them but their only personal gratification. When you strive to eke a living from the tough economic environment that these political elites create, their desire is to fulfill their personal ambition which is simply to be on record that they were this country’s president at some point. I don’t see how that is serving your interest.

The salvage of this country, I therefore want to believe does not lie in the current crop of politicians. Our messiah needs to come from somewhere else.

Quite disillusioning is a group masquerading as new visionary politicians when indeed their action sells them as a cut from the same old cloth as their predecessors who are not only their mentors but their fathers and buddies.

Look at Uhuru for example, for the years he has served in the government, he is not aware that the ministerial post that he is holding is not the president’s property but that he is there to serve Kenyans. Therefore according to your future president (Uhuru), he will not resign because the ministry of finance belongs to Kibaki and Kibaki has not asked him out.

As if that is not ridiculous enough, here is another one who would like to draw you into his fantasy-Kalonzo.Kalonzo wants you to believe that he is in fact doing you a favor by travelling around the world (of course your money foots all his bills) trying to dissuade the ICC against crucifying his friends. He is in fact telling you that his effort has drawn admiration from other countries and that from that admiration your country will be a super power in some days to come. And maybe you believed him and clapped for him. Your choice of course.

As this politicians take to the podium to expound their arguments, I can’t help but take note that Kenya has no future in them.


AMUGASHA KALENGEKA

AMUGASHA KALENGEKA'S WRITINGS: WASTED TALENTS-A novel by-AMUGASHA KALENGEKA

AMUGASHA KALENGEKA'S WRITINGS: WASTED TALENTS-A novel by-AMUGASHA KALENGEKA: " “Ha! Ha! Ha! d..."

WASTED TALENTS-A novel by-AMUGASHA KALENGEKA

                “Ha! Ha! Ha! drinks have never mattered, bring on,aaah ,any kind because they make no difference to me. You know we have a lengthy business deal to cut.’’roared out a deep,guttural sound that has been the hallmark of Xuma,the bushy nosed High Commissioner from South Africa. His face was that of a hawk,his eyes peering from deep hollow valleys that were erroneously sculpted his socket. Save for his clinically tailored suit and a long pair of  expensive shoes,he looked like a badly assembled piece of art. 

                “I don’t like the way the Rand is rising fast against the shilling,’’ Said Charata while taking a sip of the Old Monk,that Indian rum with a taste of vanilla. “You know Xuma we have to sell almost everything in the country to buy a handkerchief from the south.’’

                “And how is that your business ? Or have you shifted to the Ministry of Trade this days?’’

                “No, I am telling you because you are my friend and also a South African Ambassador to Kenya. You people should reduce their tax on imports.’’

                “Oh, I see you are not a Minister you are a Philosopher?! Right? Now, forget about all that nonsense about Rands and Shillings. Everything down there is in perfect order. The fools have signed  that document without their so many questions. In no time money shall be flowing in our accounts like the mad Nile.’’

                ‘”Ha! Ha! Ha!Now my friend you are talking. When was the last time I heard such good news,no, I can't remember. Good news is like a virgin ,it is hard to find them these days. I hope this time you keep the press at bay, I don't want to see this on the first page of newspapers tomorrow. ’’

                “Now that’s becoming chicken-hearted .I have covered my tracks well. You people in this country are lucky the press has no guts to nose around in your affairs without your consent, back in  my motherland the scandal could be a toast even before it's bakes.’’

                Thandiwe strode across the room from school. She saluted the two men engrossed in their talk barely  recognizing her. Xuma absent-mindedly lift a finger as acknowledgment.She understood and walked into her room.  Just as she was about to slip off the uncomfortable bra that robbed her of her freedom  for the whole day.....

                “The more we know each other, the more of these tankers...ah tanker really?! Ha! Ha! We will have the tanker. Believe me it has worked else where.”

                “O..o.. of course I don’t doubt you!’’

               . “Tankers!’’She exclaimed. “More tankers to Kenya!”

......................................................................................................................................................................

                                                                                                                    

                Waine was relaxing on the settee having a siesta.  Booming music played from the two speaker stereo. He heard a knock at the door and jumped up with a start. He opened the door and met two smiling faces outside.

                “Can I help you?”Waine asked.

                “Oh yes. I am Piper and my friend here is Ekimlings. We are looking for a certain boy called Waine,Waine Amario. Heard of that sought name?”

                 Before Waine could answer, Cliff who was dashing across the court shouted to him.

                “Waine kick the ball back”.

                “Please come here first Cliff, this buddies here are looking for someone.” He winced at him. “Maybe you can help. They are looking for a chap by the name Waine Amario.”

                “Why?”Asked Cliff “Did anybody tell you that all Waines of this world are kept here, this is not an orphanage.”

                “Don’t be nasty,” said Piper. “We are just doing a job assigned to us, anyway if you hear of his whereabouts then don’t hesitate to contact us here is our address. Piper and Ekimlings here.”

                They were about to leave when Waine stopped them.

"Why can’t you describe the guy you are looking for or give us something, say a photograph of him so that it could assist us in identifying him, that’s if you think we might help.”

                “You know it has been a long time since we saw him, some eleven or so years ago to be precise, he was ten then, by now he is a grown man. It's not easy to identify him by looks. He is handsome if his childish feature are anything to go by and he has emerald green eyes just like you,” explained Piper.

                "You guys are not serious at all," Cliff rebuked. “How do you look for someone you could not identify. You must be sick in the head."

                “Excuse me smart guy no insults. This boy we are looking for disappeared from our camp and the ministry of defense wants him back because he can be of immense harm to the country if he is left to roam around.”

                “Absolutely now I see why you have to diarrhoea around, but suppose we find him don’t you see...” inquired Waine.

                “Of course, of course you would like something small, that’s no problem. Find the guy, and the whole world is yours'.

                “Now move your ass off we are in the middle of an exercise you see,”Cliff went on offensive.

                “Try hard Michael Jordan but remember our project awaits, fat price ah!”

                '''You see,you have overstayed your welcome mister. that is the gate” 
The two stalwarts sized the other two boys. From Waine to Cliff,then back to Waine and grudgingly trudged away. Next time.Their malevolent eyes said..Next time.