As the debate rages on the feasibility of the Jubilee and NASA manifesto. Common wisdom dictates that political party manifestos are nothing but promises. Promises as cheap as what you promise Naliaka, Muhonja or Auma when you accost her at the corner on her way from the river. If you are Naliaka, Muhonja or Auma, your task is to tell the intentions of the boy: does his proposal to dance end at the maize plantation or will your people sangala as animals make their way into the boma
An audious task that is, but one way to tell a Wambumuli from Omusakhulu is to feel out for the spirit from the contents of his smooth talking. In similar fashion, while both Jubilee and NASA manifestos details change and transformation of Kenya, they depart in their approach. While the Jubilee manifesto ideology is conservative in it\’s centrist approach, the NASA manifesto attempts at building a larger coalition by delicately balancing progressive conservative notions with leftist decentralization/devolution.
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Thanks to this granular approach by NASA manifesto, we\’ve taken liberty to fish out areas that specifically mention / detail NASA promises to the people of Mulembe. This is not to negate the impact of the spirit of NASA\’s manifesto in such initiatives like better intergovernmental relations, promotion and preservation of culture; but just because vide this verbatim proclamations we can task them if they assume power. Think of this exercise in the manner Muhonja, Nafula or Auma might ask Wambumuli: \”Si uliniambia… utanipeleka Dubai?\”
NASA Manifesto Pillar 5: Creating Jobs Eradicating Poverty- A ladder for Every Kenyan
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Transformational Agenda for Agriculture- Reach every farmer
What the NASA manifesto says:
We believe that smallholder agriculture represents the best value for money of any economic strategy options as it addresses poverty, food security, inequality, employment and growth. There is no other sector that can hit so many birds with one stone…..We will transform smallholder agriculture through farmer-centered support services…….We have no doubt that our smallholder farmers have the potential to produce a surplus. If some farmers in Busia can get 20 bags of maize per acre, there is no reason why every farmer in Busia cannot do the same
Mulembe Nation News Verdict:
Indeed, agriculture remains the major employer of Kenyans. Better fortunes there can only mean a more prosperous nation. Transformation denotes a change in beliefs unlike change which is mere re-engineering begot by introducing outside influences. Indeed the NASA manifesto talks about there being \” considerable resources for smallholder agriculture, but just as we have middlemen for produce, we have too many intermediaries for support services- most of the resources are absorbed by big salaries, four wheel drive cars and seminars\”.
Does this transformation by any chance involve direct farmer subsidies? It must be remembered that agriculture subsidies of this ilk have long been at the center of disputes in international trade discussions. Does this transformation involve Trump-like budget cuts for some government agencies? Or will their mandate be expanded in line with the Constitution\’s wishes on agriculture at the counties? Whichever the mechanism chosen, the transformation will be complete when we see 20 bags per acre in Busia! Tutasema ndio baba!
Increase maize yields from 8.5 to 12.5 bags per acre over the next five years
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According to NASA mathematics, the difference in 4 bags per acre will boost our stores so much that as a nation, we will be able to match growth in consumption for the next decade.
What the NASA manifesto says:
Raising production hits many birds with one stone. First, it increases the food securities of the farming communities and the country as a whole. Secondly, it reduces poverty. Third, it keeps maize affordable, thereby benefiting all consumers. The highest farmers in western Kenya in particular can adopt the use of improved seeds and fertilizer to achieve the desired yields
Mulembe Nation News verdict:
Three words: Soil testing, crop diversification & post harvest handling.
Expand and commercialize small stock rearing with a focus on resource poor farmers
What the NASA manifesto says:
On the hand, the demand for the products particularly chicken meat is extremely high. Western Kenya for instance has the highest concentration of indigenous chicken but is unable to meet local demand. Moreover, research shows that chicken is the most preferred meat in Kenya, but also the most expensive, with an average consumption of 0.7 kgs per person per year, compared to a global average of 14 kg per person.
Mulembe Nation News verdict:
As our friend Engokho Kuku Farmer always says, the challenges are three fold 1) Skills and knowledge gap 2) A stifling manufacturing environment and shallow base to allow manufacture of poultry cages, equipment, incubators and 3) Access to finance. We sure hope this NASA plan for more chingokho are alive to these challenges and other seasonal variable such as the Bird Flu that\’s sneaking up on us from the cape down under.
SPECIFIC REGIONAL INITIATIVES
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Under \”Western Kenya and Lake Region\” this is how the NASA manifesto sums it up:
Despite having dependable rainfall, and potential for very diverse agriculture, Western Kenya and the Lake region have the highest concentration of farmers trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. NASA\’s transformation initiative for Western Kenya and the Lake region will promote mixed farming i.e combining dairy, small stock (chicken, dairy goats, fish) horticulture and cereals.
Mulembe Nation News verdict:
The NASA manifesto borrows heavily from the infamous sessional paper 10. In that the focus seems to be \” The purpose of development is not to develop an area but to make better off the people of the area \”. But the world over, pluralism and it\’s various pseudonyms: innovation, transformation etc triumphs over a unilateral mindset.
If a national government is some sort of enabler, then the heavy lifting has to be the task of county governments. Several sections of the NASA manifesto are alive to this fact as alluded by its diverse prescriptions such as expansion of the role of road construction agencies- KURRA & KERRA- to in cooperate county governments. This can only mean one thing for NASA\’s proposed regional initiatives: value addition of agricultural products and market access remain squarely in the hands of governors.
People of Mulembe, as you choose your Governors and MCA\’s, may wisdom prevail upon you. Let\’s have Kitinda Dairy, Busia sugar factory, and the likes running under full capacity, operated and owned by us.
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On coffee:
Lamenting the chaotic liberalization of coffee that entrenched the power of cartels, NASA proposes revival of coffee farming in Western Kenya by introducing the Batian coffee variety. On coffee, all that I can say is both my maternal grandfather and father-in-law owned coffee plantations. Thanks to the berries, I have these two fine educated women in my life. Problem is that I can\’t enjoy a cuppa at home, leave alone taking either for a coffee date. So traumatised they are!
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION-Eradicate Remoteness & Housing and urban development
What the NASA manifesto says on integrating Kenya through national infrastructure projects
- Lake Victoria Ring Road: This road which covers six counties is key to opening up the Lake Victoria region for investment.
- Develop long term spatial development and investment plans for our major metropolitan clusters (Nairobi, Coast and Kisumu-Kakamega-Bungoma)