Prof. Wangari Maathai- In her own words

"We will be judged harshly by nature for every tree that we cut with sheer ignorance"- Christopher Mutisya

-It's the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.

-We are sharing our resources in a very inequitable way. In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace.

-If you want the future generations to live in peace, we must invest in the protection of the environment and we must train especially our young people so that they don't think, for example, the whole world is like Japan.

-We can work together for a better world with men and women of goodwill, those who radiate the intrinsic goodness of humankind.

-You must not deal only with the symptoms. You have to get to the root causes by promoting environmental rehabilitation and empowering people to do things for themselves. What is done for the people without involving them cannot be sustained.

-African women in general need to know that it's OK for them to be the way they are - to see the way they are as a strength, and to be liberated from fear and from silence.

-I am working to make sure we don't only protect the environment, we also improve governance.

-It's a matter of life and death for this country, ... The Kenyan forests are facing extinction and it is a man-made problem.

-If they had resources, they would not be killing each other over grazing ground and water.

-Why has there been so much secrecy about AIDS? When you ask where did the virus come from, it raises a lot of flags. That makes me suspicious.

-We are very fond of blaming the poor for destroying the environment. But often it is the powerful, including governments, that are responsible.

-The privilege of a higher education, especially outside Africa, broadened my original horizon and encouraged me to focus on the environment, women and development in order to improve the quality of life of people in my country in particular and in the African region in general.

-Some say that AIDS came from the monkeys, and I doubt that because we have been living with monkeys from time immemorial, others say it was a curse from God, but I say it cannot be that.

-The people are learning that you cannot leave decisions only to leaders. Local groups have to create the political will for change, rather than waiting for others to do things for them. That is where positive, and sustainable, change begins.

-Women are responsible for their children, they cannot sit back, waste time and see them starve.

-It is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives which can make a difference for Africa.

-There's a general culture in this country to cut all the trees. It makes me so angry because everyone is cutting and no one is planting.

-The essential role of the environment is still marginal in discussions about poverty, ... While we continue to debate these initiatives, environmental degradation, including the loss of biodiversity and topsoil, accelerates, causing development efforts to falter.

-I would be on my knees looking at them and admiring them, trying to have them on my neck, until my mother would call and wonder what ... I was doing in the river.

My take: How i wish the political leaders who have spend so much energy and time to politicise the conservation of our water catchment areas would heed to the words of the 2004 Nobel Prize Winner.

Chris

KENYA IS WELL ENDOWED

"No country can alleviate poverty if its leadership spends much of its time on what is politically expedient rather than economically prudent."- Christopher Mutisya

Kenya has a colossal amount of resources that can be tapped to improve the lives of its population. We are not short of human resources that spread across all professional disciplines. Kenyans are amazingly entrepreneural.

We have enjoyed peace and tranquility for many years which was severely threatened by the 2007 post-election violence. Our nation parks and game reserves present the world with a rare beauty. Our beaches are the envy of the world.

Kenyan soils are very fertile. We have so many rivers and lakes. The climate is not so unfavourable. So many positives favour us. However, we have found ourselves languishing at the bottom of growing economies as a low income country.

We seem not to emulate a country like Botswana, which is 70% covered by Kalahari Desert.The Southern Africa nation was among the poorest nations by 1966. Her landlocked status notwithstanding, her economic growth has eclipsed those experienced by the Asian Tigers. Today, Botswana is a middle income country and among the least corrupt in the world.

Our major undoing is indecision and inaction by our political leadership. There is too much political chest thumping, backbiting, and ethnic politics at the expense of economic development. Judicial reforms are being undertaken under the command of political expediency.

Environmental conservation seems to be a peripheral duty of our government. The government seem to lack the will to end impunity and uproot corruption in our society. The poorest of the poor are still inadequately reached.

Kenya can change and become a beacon of prosperity even before the actual deadline of Vision 2030. However, if change is to be realized, the government must learn the urgency of the moment.

Let us conserve the environment to help us address the food, water, and energy crises. Let us subsidise our farmers in order to beef up food security in the country. Let us sell a national brand where each kenyan sees the other from a kenyan rather than from a tribal perspective. The government must step up its support for youth and women entrepreneurship. We can do simple things in great ways to change this country.

Chris

Article published in The Standard August 18th, 2009

Nature is unforgiving!

"Is it possible and sustainable for any nation to import food, water, and energy? I have serious doubts. We must change the way we handle our environment."- Christopher Mutisya


Do not shoot me! I am Che Guevera and worth more to you alive than dead. These were the words of Che Guevara, the Argentinian revolutionary when he was captured in Bolivia in 1967. The same words would sound to Kenyans as: Do not destroy me! I am Environment and worth more to you conserved than degraded. This is the unalloyed truth we must all face.

Mau, Aberdare, Mt. Kenya, Cherengani Hills, and Mt. Elgon are worth our rivers, lakes, springs, wildlife, crops, and energy. The conservation of the entire ecosystem will guarantee prosperity in our agricultural, health, and tourism sectors. Peace and harmony will only be possible if we protect our nature. Economic growth is a sure thing if concerted efforts are made to manage and conserve the environment.

There is no time for small talk about who did what and when to the environment. There is no time for those who have encroached on our forests to decide on when to move out. It is a matter of necessity and emergency.

It is an abuse to Kenyans to hold any more conferences and give environmental speeches. We are living on borrowed time. We know our mistakes and should embark on doing what is right. Our environment is shouting loudly for help. An environment disaster is in the offing.

Let us face it: Too much talk does not cook rice.

Chris

Mombuni Youth for Change- We can do it!

" True leadership is selfless and life-changing"- Christopher Mutisya


Great countries are born of great leaders. Great leaders often come up with policies that outlive them. They make a real difference in the lives of their people. They model more leaders than followers. They do not watch things from the sidelines. They are part and parcel of the real action. These are the leaders that inspire the agenda of Mombuni Youth for Change.

President Barack Obama rose from the humble beginnings of a community organizer to remind the whole world that hope and a chance to live a better life remains a reality. He has inspired millions of young people to move from the ordinary to extraordinary in the his 'Yes We Can' slogan.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela will forever be emblazoned in the hearts of every man and woman. Even after fighting Apartheid in South Africa and serving for 27 years in Robben Island prison, he handed over power to Thabo Mbeki after serving between 1994-99. A selfless leader indeed; the icon of true leadership. It pains to see age catching up with him.

Prof. Wangari Maathai, the founder of Green Belt Movement and the 2004 Nobel Prize Laureate remains a true role model to both the young and old. Her continued quest for environment conservation and conflict resolution are the hallmarks of her desire for a better society. Remember the statement: Nature is so unforgiving. Her perseverance during the former oppressive regime is a true inspiration to those who want a better tomorrow.

In 1964, the world had the youngest recepient of the Nobel Prize- Martin Luther King Jr. Without fear or favour, he spoke boldly about racial justice and the need to grant freedom to all. Remember his speech 'I have a Dream' that came to pass in November 4, 2008. Remember his speech ' A Time to break Silence', where he strongly war against Vietnam that killed over a million Vietnmese, particularly children. Remember his speech 'I can see the Mountaintop' shortly before he was assassinated in 1968. His contribution to selfless and transformational leadership is incredible. He is the hero of heroes.

Mohathir bin Mohamad may not be a household name to many but he remains the fulcrum behind Malaysian economic growth and modernisation. He led his country into emulating the Asian Tigers- Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong by formulating splendid economic policies. He will remain one of the most influential leaders in Asia. A man of the Malaysian people.

Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore demonstrated the value vision and dedication is all about. A nation led by a visionary leader flourishes. Singapore is today one of the most developed countries in the world. The GDP per capita stands at $52,000. Lee spearhead the formulation of environmental management policies. Talk of preserving nature for his people.

The list is endless. These are the leaders who inspire the activities of Mombuni Youth for Change. We will go the extra mile to improve the lives of our mothers and fathers. We will make it happen for our young brothers and sisters.

We will never abdicate our responsibility in creating a better society. Mohathir of Malaysia, Seretse Khama of Botswana, Madiba of South Africa, Lee of Singapore, and many others have done it. Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi, Baraka Obama, and Paul Kagame of Rwanda are making a difference. Why not Mombuni Youth for Change? We can do it. Yes we can!

Christopher Mutisya,
Chairperson,
Mombuni Youth for Change.

Kenya needs Change!

The food, water, and energy crises in the country are threatening to throw into jeopardy the economic and social development agenda. The unrelenting vampire of corruption in both private and public institutions is equally detrimental to our economic and social fabric.

Ethnic politics is still a major obstacle in postering peace and tranquility in our beloved country. There is a sheer lack of nationhood and common purpose among most of our leaders. In the midst of this crisis, valuable lessons have been learnt. We now need to change course.

The Chinese have it that crisis has the face of danger and opportunity. It would be dangerous if we do not move fast to address the destruction of Mau Complex and other wetlands. Our food crisis will escalate if we do not subsidise farm inputs for both small-scale and large-scale farmers. The environmental disaster we are currently facing will soon claim lives if we do not urgently commence a multi-faceted tree planting program.

Corruption will stagnate our economic growth if we do not suffocate the arteries and veins that engender it. Ethnicity will polarise this country in years ahead if we do not address it now. Something has to give.

However, we have an opportunity to make a positive change out of the mess we have created ourselves.The stage is set for this country to look straight into its political, social, environment, and economic problems.

The government should orchestrate elaborate environment, food, and water policies that will make the attainment of the 2015 Millenium Development Goals and actualization of Vision 2030 a reality.

Change will mean that Kenyans are assured of a normal supply of water, food, and electricity, and can participate in a violence-free electoral process. It is possible to create a better Kenya for Kenyans.

Chris

(Article published in The Standard 14th August, 2009)

Failing to plan is planning to fail!

The current drought and famine conditions ravaging the country leaves many questions begging for answers. In the first case, did we have a strategic plan feed our population in the wake of the failure of rains for two or three years? Has the government utilized the entire capacity of its food baskets to produce enough food for all Kenyans? Are the agricultural resources allocated equitably to all regions to ensure food production is beefed up?

What is the government doing about the reintroduction of tradtional crops like yams, arrow roots, sweet potatoes, cassava, millet, and sorghum as sure solutions to food insecurity? With Kenya having better soils, a better economy, and a better climate than Malawi, why should the latter export maize and not Kenya?

While these questions are mind boggling, they bring to fore the deficiencies we have as a country. The government has abdicated its responsibility in planning for the growing population. This failure can be witnessed by the 10 million people starving across the country.

We have encroached on our largest water tower in East Africa, the Mau Complex, which has helped to reduced water levels in our rivers and dams. This has hampered crop production. Agriculture in rural areas remains relegated to the periphery since very few resources are allocated to boosted food production in these areas.

The government should put its act together and plan for increased food production. Mau encroachment should be halted as a matter of urgency. Malawi offers a fine example that food security is real and attainable. Our leaders should not amplify politics at the expense of environmental conservation, water conservation, and food production.

Rural areas should get a better share of the agricultural resources. We can free ourselves from hunger in less than five years if the government has the will and commitment to do so. In the words of Calvin Coolidge, we cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.

Chris
(Article published in the Daily Nation, 12th August, 2009)

Kenya at Crossroads!

It is an open secret that the many years of destroying the Mau Complex have finally caught up with Kenya. Primed as the largest water tower in East Africa, the complex is seriuosly under seige and threatened with extinction. Several rivers flowing to Lake Victoria are drying up. Lake Nakuru is drying up and the saltiness of its waters is increasing at a sickening pace. The breeding of flamingoes in this beautiful lake is slowly dying out.

River Mara is drying up and the famous wildebeest migration is gradually becoming less spectactular. Power stations are closing up. Water is now a luxury to both rural and urban dwellers. Farmers neighbouring the Mau forest are now witnessing unprecedented drought conditions. Farmers expect hardly any maize and wheat harvests in our traditional food baskets in Rift valley. An understated 10 million kenyans are starving for lack of at least one meal a day. The list is endless.

Yet, after these warning signals, some leaders are sounding petty, selfish, irresponsible, and nothing but tribal warlords. They are advocating ethnicity under the veil of protecting the interests of their people; the very cause of last year's post-election violence. They are pretending to defend the people who elected them to positions of power and threatening to plunge this country to chaos by issuing inflammatory statements. Such is the height of our selflish, visionless, and myopic leadership.

The bottom line is that, we will forgive and forget the ills meted against innocent Kenyans during the 2007 post-election violence. However, the present and the future generations will never forgive those who militate against environmental conservation. The environment and human life are completely intertwined. The restoration of Mau forest is a matter of urgency and necessity.

When our rivers and lakes dry up and subsequently rains fail, will bad leadership import water and food for over 30 million Kenyans? The times are serious for such irresponsible and unbecoming leadership. We will be judged harshly by the many things we destroyed but fairly by the many lives we helped to preserve.

Christopher Mutisya,
Chairperson,
Mombuni Youth for Change