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State of Poverty in Kenya
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InnovateGuy
#1 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 11:20:09 AM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 11/15/2012
Posts: 1,110
Even as the digital government settles down to work, they should not lose sight of the challenges that face this country. There is so much do do especially with regards to eradicating poverty. In one incident which is likely to draw discussion, Micah Cheserem was moved to tears after coming "face to face" with the poverty in Kitui County. Learners there travel 14 Km to a school which is in shambles. The school has two teachers only.

Link
Live Full Die Empty - Les Brown.
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Wakanyugi
#2 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 12:52:11 PM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 7/3/2007
Posts: 1,635
The most important policy that Uhuruto can implement, according to me, is the one of direct social resource transfer to the poor. If they do only this I will rate their government a success.

Unfortunately it odes not seem to feature as a priority.

Ruto says that they hope to increase the number of people and amounts that government transfers to the poor but only, if they can find the money.

In my opinion this should be a guaranteed item on the budget, before paying salaries or building half a billion shilling offices for retired geezers.

It makes economic sense too.

Imagine if those poor families in Kitui were guaranteed a regular income. They would spend and build local economies. The dignity gained would encourage people to try new things, take more risks to build the income of their families.

The country will benefit.
"The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth." (Niels Bohr)
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wanyee
#3 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 1:21:33 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 7/17/2011
Posts: 627
Location: Mbui-Nzau, Kikumbulyu
The key would be to establish agricultural based -commodity trading societies ../ communities ...create meaning livelihood chains run on knowledge(ICT) ..gainfull on commerce and built on values like green energy, waste recycling ..ethics bla bla bla ...
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radio
#4 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 1:49:29 PM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 11/9/2009
Posts: 2,003
Wakanyugi wrote:
The most important policy that Uhuruto can implement, according to me, is the one of direct social resource transfer to the poor. If they do only this I will rate their government a success.

Unfortunately it odes not seem to feature as a priority.

Ruto says that they hope to increase the number of people and amounts that government transfers to the poor but only, if they can find the money.

In my opinion this should be a guaranteed item on the budget, before paying salaries or building half a billion shilling offices for retired geezers.

It makes economic sense too.

Imagine if those poor families in Kitui were guaranteed a regular income. They would spend and build local economies. The dignity gained would encourage people to try new things, take more risks to build the income of their families.

The country will benefit.


Devolution? County governments?
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chepkel
#5 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 1:52:49 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 4/6/2010
Posts: 741
Location: Nairobi
And thus the concept of devolution and county Governments. Through out History the central Government has always left out many places and only developing a few interest areas. However, with proper execution of the devolved system, each county can develop its areas according to the specific needs of the area.

If these Governors could prioritize development over wages then this country can really go far. Nevertheless, and as per the example of the Central Government, County government is becoming another avenue for nepotism, corruption and wastage.

God Help us All!!!
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wa P
#6 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 4:32:27 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 5/26/2009
Posts: 326
Location: Nairobi
There is a program called 'Lighting Africa' by IFC; they did a survey; 70% of Kenyans off electricity grid rely on kerosene for lighting and 'outsource' mobile phone charging... at annual cost of about 18k per household.

A good way to transfer resources to the poor, is to STOP the unnecessary hemorrhage of meager resources by introducing and investing in renewable energy.
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Wakanyugi
#7 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 4:36:48 PM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 7/3/2007
Posts: 1,635
chepkel wrote:
Nevertheless, and as per the example of the Central Government, County government is becoming another avenue for nepotism, corruption and wastage.

God Help us All!!!


This is my worry too. Devolution is good but we seem to have started by devolving the same corruption, greed and insensitivity to the plight of the poor that is the hall mark of central government.

Also devolution is a long term project, one that will take at least a generation before Kenya can begin to see real benefits.

On the other hand the kind of poverty Cheserem witnessed is here and now. Our lasting shame is that we have become so comfortable with such diprivation that we hardly notice.

Here is my deal: In this day and age it should be possible for Government to guarantee every senior citizen, single mother, poor man, orphaned child etc who needs it, a small income transmitted directly to them every month at minimal transaction cost.

Such redistribution of wealth will do more for our country than even devolution can.I'll happily pay more tax towards such an end.

Ruto and Uhuru call themselves digital. They should make it happen.
"The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth." (Niels Bohr)
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tycho
#8 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 4:52:34 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 7/1/2011
Posts: 8,804
Location: Nairobi
Wakanyugi wrote:
chepkel wrote:
Nevertheless, and as per the example of the Central Government, County government is becoming another avenue for nepotism, corruption and wastage.

God Help us All!!!


This is my worry too. Devolution is good but we seem to have started by devolving the same corruption, greed and insensitivity to the plight of the poor that is the hall mark of central government.

Also devolution is a long term project, one that will take at least a generation before Kenya can begin to see real benefits.

On the other hand the kind of poverty Cheserem witnessed is here and now. Our lasting shame is that we have become so comfortable with such diprivation that we hardly notice.

Here is my deal: In this day and age it should be possible for Government to guarantee every senior citizen, single mother, poor man, orphaned child etc who needs it, a small income transmitted directly to them every month at minimal transaction cost.

Such redistribution of wealth will do more for our country than even devolution can.I'll happily pay more tax towards such an end.

Ruto and Uhuru call themselves digital. They should make it happen.


The government can't guarantee an income. But it can educate, encourage and protect the citizen to flourish.

The market is too complex for such direct intervention.

But a change in our core ideas and values can do the magic.
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Wakanyugi
#9 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 5:50:14 PM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 7/3/2007
Posts: 1,635
tycho wrote:

The government can't guarantee an income. But it can educate, encourage and protect the citizen to flourish.


Not for everyone, certainly. But for those unable to take care of themselves, the government can and should guarantee an income.

The basis of responsible government (not capitalism) is that those who can have an obligation to help those who can't. It is the government's job to mediate that process.

The Capitalist west did not change from the Industrial revolution. It changed when they invented welfare.

Of course you will hear the argument that there is no money.

To that I say 'Nonsense!'
"The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth." (Niels Bohr)
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tycho
#10 Posted : Thursday, July 18, 2013 6:11:48 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 7/1/2011
Posts: 8,804
Location: Nairobi
Wakanyugi wrote:
tycho wrote:

The government can't guarantee an income. But it can educate, encourage and protect the citizen to flourish.


Not for everyone, certainly. But for those unable to take care of themselves, the government can and should guarantee an income.

The basis of responsible government (not capitalism) is that those who can have an obligation to help those who can't. It is the government's job to mediate that process.

The Capitalist west did not change from the Industrial revolution. It changed when they invented welfare.

Of course you will hear the argument that there is no money.

To that I say 'Nonsense!'


How do we determine 'those who can't help themselves'? How many can't help themselves? How did they get to such a condition?

Why and how is giving them money a solution. Certainly lack of money is lack of markets, and isn't nonsense.
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