https://www.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09NAIROBI1296_a.html
Friends,
As we wait for the appointment of the Uhuru Cabinet, it is time for reflections.
In 1964 when Kenya became a Republic, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta appointed a lean Cabinet of 20 men namely;
- Hon. H.E.The Hon Mzee JomoKenyatta- President
- Hon.A.Oginga-Odinga- Vice President
- Hon J.D.Otiende,
- Hon Dr.W.Mungai,
- HonT.J.Mboya,
- Hon. E.N. Mwendwa,
- Hon. Dr.J.G. Kiano,
- Hon M. Koinange,
- Hon P.Ngei,
- Hon L.G.Sagini,
- Hon J.A.Z.Murumbi,
- Hon B.R.Mckenzie D.S.O, D.F.C,MP,
- Hon D.T.Arap Moi,
- Hon C.Njonjo- Attorney General
- Hon J.S.Gichuru,
- Hon R.Achieng Oneko,
- Hon Mr. D.N.Ndegwa,
- Hon D.Mwanyumba,
- Hon S.O.Ayodo,
- Hon J.h.Angaine,
- Hon W.M.Wamalwa
From this time on, Kenya witnessed some tremendous changes. The economy grew and life was comfortable. There were also some sad part of the history of the 1st Government, but that is not subject of this article.
In Nairobi, where I was born, life was easy and the Town was Clean. The Council staff then were very efficient. Nairobi was indeed a Green City in the Sun.Our Garbage was collected on schedule twice a week and all our Litter Bins were replaced the moment they started wearing off. As I went to Islamia Primary School, I never saw any garbage thrown by the road sides. Today, garbage is everywhere you turn and the people mandated to keep our Towns and Cities Clean are busy conferencing and studying waste and garbage. They are busy conniving with known cartels and their mission is to make hey when it lasts. I want to believe that the Uhuru Cabinet will appoint a no nonsense Cabinet Secretary to oversee the question of Waste and Garbage that seems to be overwhelming this Team and ensure that Waste becomes a Resource.
This is Busis Road in Industrial Area in Nairobi
Public Transport was flowing and many of us liked boarding the Double Decker Buses that plied Route No 9 to Eastleigh. Traffic Jams were never witnessed. Vehicles were only stopped in the event President Kenyatta was in the vicinity of Landhies and Jogoo Roads. And the School Children would be made to line up waiting to wave at Mzee as he was driven by.
Later on, things started decaying bit by bit. Water that was freely flowing from our taps started missing from the taps and today, it is never there. It comes twice a week and it does not matter whether it rains or not. When it rains, water becomes a source of death and destruction. When it is not there, Electricity is rationed on account of low water at the Dams.
These are some of the paradoxes that Uhuru and his new Team will be facing.
There is something called Energy Regulatory Commission which is seriously messing everyone in Kenya other than themselves. This will be one body that will either be made to shape up or ship out. How can you adjust prices of fuel every month in a struggling economy? This is messing all households in Kenya just as it is messing the investors.
We all need to plan and budget for our fuel consumptions every year. And even the Government budgets for the year. But this monster of a body revels in adjusting prices as they please every month. Industries can hence not plan for their fuel consumption and long haul drivers cannot do the same as well. The Uhuru Team will have to address this issue and bring sanity to all.
Besides, we have the small issue of National Healing and Reconciliation. And this is one area the New Team will have to give greater attention. We are all hurting as a Country and we need to find some mechanisms of healing Kenya. Great efforts must be made at ensuring that communities live in respect of each other as we move forward. Let us not create an impression of one community being equal than any other community. We are all One People and when any of us wins, we all win. Let us celebrate our win and unity as One Big Kenyan Family.
Lastly, and this was the main gist of my writing today- Banking. In the 1990s, opening a Bank Account was such an issue. You had to have like Kshs 10,000.00 plus being introduced by two known people. The Banks were not friendly and there came a time that the major Banks even moved out of some major Towns on account of less business or insufficient deposits.
Then stepped in one brave man- James Mwangi. Equity Bank stepped in and moved to all those areas the major Banks were leaving. Equity Bank reduced the opening balance to Zero and even did away with the need for bringing Passport Photos as you open your Bank Account. The major Banks thought this was a passing cloud. But Major Mwangi soldiered on and soon, the major Banks were on the streets hawking their services at a time Dr Mwangi recalled all his Field Agents back to the Banking Halls.
He had made a major coup in the Banking Field and singe handedly revolutionized the Banking Industry. The rest has been history.
Such are the kind of men Team Uhuru should go for. Men who see opportunities and move in, not men who give Travel Advisories. It will do Kenya a great deal to have Major Mwangi as our next Finance Secretary. He has my vote and my confidence.
I would also like another Major Mwangi- maybe, Odhiambo T Oketch being appointed to manage the question of Waste and Garbage in Kenya. Many Directors of Environment across the Land will have to seek asylum and ship out, for they have failed Kenya and made our Country Dirty and Filthy. Garbage and Filth covers every inch of open space you have in Nairobi and this must be addressed.
Garbage and Filth at every turn in Nairobi
Peace and blessings as we work for a Clean Kenya, a Clean Africa and a Better World as we celebrate our Silver Jubilee.
The Clean Africa Campaign-TCAC.
This is Busis Road in Industrial Area in Nairobi
Garbage and Filth at every turn in Nairobi
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