http://www.nation.co.ke/...6/-/q2wd47/-/index.html

This is slightly over three times the total CDF allocated by parliament between 2003 - 2009. Refer to http://www.cdf.go.ke/ima...allocationsupto2008.pdf

However, these are not devolved funds and will be shared sorely on the basis of the local effort and management of available resources by the following communities: Nandis, Luhyas, Keiyos, Kipsigis, Meru, Embu and Kikuyus as outlined by http://www.ktdateas.com/...mp;id=19&Itemid=89.

Some people in this forum trashed the peace efforts as simply driven by the petty succession politics of the 2012. I have news for you. The Kshs 97b is a principle driver in these efforts. The economic stakes at local level are far too high to jeopardize livelihoods in such an industry that has taken decades to build. It is also an eloquent reminder that devolved funds will not solve underlying economic problems in any community - they can only bandage big wounds without addressing the causes. What are the political implications of this? First, these communities do not think that their economic lifeline would be in safe hands with RAO in the driving seat given his penchant for high voltage politics. Secondly, as one blogger Njore suggested, the Luo Nyanza political base should open their eyes to see where the rain started beating them. Its not all politics - exploiting your God given resources without looking for excuses is the way out of economic morass. I know that tea cannot grow in the lake basin - but for heaven's sake, well managed fish resources is the lifeline. I just listened to a youth group in Kieni (Nyeri) in Inooro this morning sharing their experience in fish farming. They apparently earned at least Kshs 100,000 each (they are 28 in total) from fish farming last year. They are intending to expand the enterprise. Are there lessons there? Peace.

Well is it still not about politics? And how does RAOs name crop up in a Tea related thread?

2012 I say again and again!

Economic well-being of a nation is directly proportional to an effective political leadership. I am sorry to predict that the economic gains our country has realized under Kibaki's watch could go up in flames (pap!) if a leader with no economic & development agenda took over. I chill to the bone as an investor in this country when I see a leader diverting public funds to refurbish an office he will use for just one year to the tune of 329m (bought for 700m), demanding a state-of-the-art mobile toilet and a red carpet anytime he is out of his office. A leader with a militia of wang'oaji reli and other economic-destructive tendencies. As Robinhood rightly puts it, our tea output should look to realize over 125b. This will only be possible if the next political leadership has the capacity to pick up the baton and run with it! Murira, terrific piece of analysis.