MY ANGLE: Counties are letting us down

Today, Chief Samora is an accomplished agricultural entrepreneur. On a portion of his seven-acre piece of land he has a thriving fish pond, a fledgling dairy unit, a successful poultry business featuring anything from chicken to ducks all the way to pricey ornamental birds. And he has even bigger dreams for the remaining portion of his land.

Now, this story caught my attention for two reasons, first because it was absolutely inspiring, and coming from a place where entrepreneurship of this kind is only just taking root, it was even more gratifying to watch. But secondly, the show brought to my mind a rather distressing story that I read from the very county of Migori a few months ago about a milk shortage that had forced the county’s hoteliers and other consumers to import a good chunk of their milk supplies from neighbouring Tanzania.

Data from the Agriculture, livestock and fisheries ministry suggests that the county produces an average of 25 million litres of milk annually against a demand of 88 million litres, that is a whole three and a half times more that the county’s production. This shortage of milk is partly due to haphazard support or none at all from the county government in whose hands agriculture and livestock now fully lie following the promulgation of the 2010 constitution.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the story of most counties in Kenya where many residents work hard to put up innovative enterprises, only to be let down by a non-responsive or downright hostile business environment. Suppose people like Samora were supported more? Suppose they knew they could count not just on their entrepreneurial skills and determination but also on the unflinching support of their county, their government.

But before I despair, there is cause to be hopeful, the recently concluded devolution conference brought many promising county initiatives to light. In Kitui, we heard of the heart warming stories of Mianda irrigation scheme where farmers are being supported through the provision of seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, and other farm implements such as tractors and solar generators in addition to availing county agricultural extension officers to work with the farmers.

From Meru, we learnt of a new technology that is being used to optimise the reproductive cycle of cows and increase milk production. In Homa Bay, a new project funded by the Swedish government is introducing fishpond liners to increase fish production in the county. And who can forget Makueni County where women groups are reaping big from selling wild forest fruits and drought resistant crops, owing to the forward-looking policies of the county government. A local women group known as Muuo wa Sombe for instance, which is based in the largely dry Kibwezi East, is making waves with its revolutionary products such as jam and juice made from baobab and tamarind fruits, that are much sought after within the county and beyond.

I could go on but the point is made, that one there are individual Kenyans out there who are going out of their way and challenging established traditions to make a difference, but secondly that counties have the capacity – indeed a duty - to create an enabling environment for farming and other businesses to thrive.

But on the contrary, most counties have not walked the talk. Indeed just this morning, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), told Citizen TV’s Day Break show that the commission was investigating literally every one of the 47 counties, for various forms of financial impropriety.

At a time when the debate continues to rage on whether counties should get more money or not, such reports are not encouraging and they can only discourage farmers like Chief Samora who wake up everyday to do their best to feed themselves and the rest of us.

That is my angle for the week!