Water and Climate Joined at the Hip

 

Water and Climate Joined at the Hip

In March of 2020 I together with my colleagues Paul and Julie at Evidence Action, co-penned down this

https://nation.africa/kenya/oped/opinion/Water-and-climate-joined-at-the-hip/440808-5497234-11jn2vr/index.html

COVID 19 has completely changed the course of humanity. Our forbearers - those still alive, our generation and our children have experienced a phenomenon never imagined. We were all caught flat footed. It has changed the way we do business, the way we live, the way we relate. It has brought to the fore a new conversation about preparedness for the worst. It has taught us that life is very fragile. It has also taught us that material things are just things that are not as important as we have as humanity, come to embrace them.

How we live our next minute, hour, day, week, month, year, years.... is more important. How much impact you have on others will create meaning for you. The quality of life is in how meaningful you take those next to you be it family, friends, co-workers and even strangers.

What it your life's anchor?
Live your life meaningfully, because it is that meaning, that quality that will outlive you. Create your legacy.

Have yourself a meaningful week.

ED

published 5 months ago

Building Entrepreneurs or just ....

2 years ago...

Lets see....
For many years, I have come across a number of institutions stating that their mandate is to build entrepreneurship ecosystems in the region. At the same time the number of unemployed graduates continue to rise. At the same time, I meet many young entrepreneurs with brilliant ideas stating that they cant come across financing for their business ideas. Yet there are are banks stating that they have the money to support SME growth yet there are SMEs that are dying. What exactly is happening?

For the start up companies, there is no one willing to put their money in a start up.

So we shall continue to be where we are?

Someone needs to stand in the gap.

Who will it be? I don't know. But we need to have an honest conversation around this issues and unlock the potential of entrepreneurs out here. Lets have a conversation.

The Chronicles of being me in the last few years

 

I haven't written here for some time. I have been busy fixing quite a few heavy loads and may be you may have caught a few things here and there on my Facebook and twitter handle. This year I will give you blow by blow of accounts of the experiences I have had over the last four years.

1. My European journey through lifechanging gatherings and conversations.

2. My journey in establishing a big enterprise and the joys and frustrations I have faced.

3. Whey I chose to get through the learning curve at Evidence Action and what I have gathered through the world of evidence that informs large scaling of poverty eradicating interventions.

4. The power within and the influence I have, how I have utilized it and when I decided not to and what the future holds.

5. My story as I relive the current political temperatures in the country. 

6. The journey of love and happiness and everything in between. 

The last few years have been very reveling.

I have grown in bounds. I have been happy. I have made mistakes and triumphs all together. 

But before that.... let me give you a filler of what has happened.

Keep it locked here.

Thanks.

ED

The challenge is in Organizing Effectively

Don't Agonize, Organize. Those are three words that capture the current trends of frustration in Kenya. The Citizens have a penchant to complain about virtually everything going wrong. But when it comes to the bold steps of finding the solution. The responsibility had rather be taken over by someone else. Indeed without properly organizing, it is difficult to galvanize into desired results.

For a number of years when I was still youth, we put together the National Youth Convention that ruffled feathers of the powers that be. Every time there were thousands of youths gathering to discuss a national agenda, the national intelligence system in the country were always on high alert. The phones for the organizers are tapped to listen in on the plans and just in case there is reason to worry or if there is surreptitious plans, they can be thwarted. In all cases, the anger was driven by the need for a better and not a destroyed country. 

With the National Youth Convention, we saw many of the current leaders (Raila Odinga, Anyang Nyong'o, Martha Karua, Charity Ngilu, Kivutha Kibwana) to just name a few..come to address the youth leaders because they knew NYC was where the pulse of the Nation is. Quite a number of the resolutions passed were implemented and others taken over by national government either through policy or programme priority areas of Ministries. 

The National Youth Summit was another attempt largely on peace issues surrounding the very divisive national political campaigning and subsequent pockets of violence across the country. This again came with resources to mobilize young people in their respective provinces and have conversations that spark actions at local level. 

The National Youth Sector Alliance was an attempt at institutionalizing organizing so that while there were efforts at local level to highlight on the plight of youth people, there needed to be a platform to make such recommendations available to policy makers. The Prime Minister's Youth Round Table was created with the support of the very abled Emmanuel Lubembe, a gentleman that I quite respect.. One of the pioneers of transformation in Public Service. We managed to identify a raft of ideas and recommendations that we made available to an Inter Ministerial initiative. A number of the recommendations have been implemented. But one of the lessons learned in the process was that while advocating for certain changes, there is need for tact and strategy. Make visible your anger on the shortcomings, mobilize support, and ensure the issues are articulated on the decision making tables. The streets are not enough. They are important as to ensure the public is aware, but a seat on the table ensures that your voices are heard.

But many always ask how one can gain a seat on the table. There exists many avenues. One of the avenues we utilized was that of allies in the decision making offices, Ministries, Parliament, commissions and other spaces. One mistake we always make is to demonize those in the decision making positions for the lack of doing the right thing. One lesson I have learned is that an existing system does not take a transformed individual to change it, it requires concerted efforts. 

I believe that when citizens take matters into their hands, make noise about what affects them, protest, present petitions, institute public interest litigation, it makes a lot of sense. When those given positions of responsibility know that the citizens are monitoring and watching progress, they tend to act in the interest of the public good. When citizens fail to understand the workings of a system, participate in matters that affect their governance, the leaders tend to develop an appetite of acting on their own instincts rather than what has been documented to be a common plan. 

Kenya is going through a transformation brought by the new constitution, however, there is also the reality that the first crop of County Government Leadership as well as the national Government, on entrenching corruption as one of the factors of leadership. Every new system requires the citizens to understand its workings, however when citizens keep off, it gives fodder for crafty business.

We have not had a very successful organization into all the sectors that matter most. Many young people who have ended up in elective politics after many years of agitation through civil society, have found a very lonely space. A space where there are competing interest of the individual and that of the citizens. When individual interests takes precedence, and in most cases it does, the citizens end up suffering. Organizing to ensure accountability of the elected leaders is one social science that has never been understood in Africa. Many African leaders enjoy the possibility of a citizenry that does not hold them accountable.

We have ended up with systems where when the truth is told, it hurts those in power. When those in power end up using their positions to suppress the truth, and when citizens condone such actions, usually the monopoly of violence rests with holders of state power. But what people within the state do not understand is that citizens agitation is driven by the desire for a better country. Only if the leaders in office could listen keenly to their critics, things would look different for the governance system.

The fact that the state enjoys the monopoly of violence should not be reason for citizens to stop eternal vigilance for accountability. Indeed every time more citizens voice their concerns, there is always someone in deep state that will listen and try and change things for the better. However if the citizens would be quiet at the rampant corruption, then they become accomplices.

Organizing requires resilience, patience, tact among other traits in order to realize positive results. There will be frustrations, there will be threats but the more citizens get engaged, the more there will be positive results.

Following the laid out plans and ensuring that the leaders get to know that the citizens are aware of what needs to happen is critical to the pathways of change.

Conducting audits of the work in progress and ensuring that the process is transparent is a characteristic every citizen should embody in order to ensure results are delivered.

Educating other community members on the plans and programs being implemented will always increase curiosity and participation.

The Constitution has provisions for participatory budgeting processes. In fact any county that does not hold public meetings at ward level to pick the views of the citizens on what development priorities they would like to vote for their area is a contravention of the constitution and as such the national government can be compelled not to release resources to such a county until such meetings happen and documented. The process does not end in such meetings. Social audits are supposed to be conducted by citizens to realize the planned development.

But this is easily said than done. Grass root mobilization and planning is a key component to success when it comes to accountability. Every one must seek to have access to information. The information must be passed on to many members of the community in order to build a critical mass of people that can organize and begin accountability networking. It is through disciplined organizing that the war on graft can be won to see development that is pro people. 

Social media is a good space to start from. But the grassroots is where the real power is in building a critical mass. Change does not come to those who seat, keep quiet and wait. Change comes to those that actively go out to seek it. Change comes to those that have empowered themselves with the relevant information. Change does not come by easy and lack of evidence. Seek credible information and use it. Positive change is not built from lies and propaganda. You must always stand for the truths all the time. The truth triumphs over lies and evil.

Do your part.

50 Kenyans to Participate in the 7 Day Sustainability Challenge 2017

The Green Team Initiative seeks to for recruit application for the 7 day sustainability Challenge. The challenge will involve 50 Kenyans resident in Nairobi from November 26^th to December 2^nd 2017. The challenge takes seven days of practical sustainable solutions which focus on 3 categories: Live, Move and Eat from which the participants will choose through a daily routine of activities that are aimed at managing their carbon footprint and save them money.

Following the 2016 challenge, 10 Kenyans & 10 Swedes successfully completed the smart living challenge with amazing outcomes where majority made small lifestyle changes for good from becoming vegans, to conscience of where their food is sourced from and utilization of public transport among other healthy lifestyle choices. For more on the 2016 challenge see this 5 minutes video.

What’s happening this year?

In 2017, the challenge runs from 26^th Nov to 2^nd Dec, targeting a total of 50 talented Kenyans, from different ages, gender and profiles. The participants must be resident in the urban set up, men and women who demonstrate the kind of leadership demanding smart lifestyles that are not harmful to the environment, that are sustainable and cost effective.

Participants will be supported to custom make their lifestyle choice routine; they will join a community of inspiring peers; share their experiences with other citizens globally and gain bragging rights for the highest number of carbon footprint saved.

Being as invitation one can participate by filling a simple online application form available here and on the Green Team Website www.greenteamkenya.com. The deadline for application is on 10^th November 2017.

The challenge is being organized by the Green Team Initiative that supports entrepreneurs to identify sustainable, innovative, appropriate, and cost effective practices to curb the effects of climate change at community level. 

Kenya’s First Standard Gauge Rail Train Day Return Trip From Nairobi to Mombasa

My Saturday 13^th May 2017 was traditionally quiet having spent with my Ninjas Ray and Riley doing homework, planting flower seeds in the Fortress Garden then a few creative paper card creations and cartoons a typical day for Dad and the boys. It is 18:50 hrs and I receive a call asking us to be ready at 06:00hrs in the morning for the inaugural SGR Trip to Mombasa and back. Given the fact that we have been waiting for the mostly scanty information, and appreciating my curiosity to give a first-hand account of the humongous Project that Kenya has heavily invested in, we assemble and are ready for the journey.

It is a chilly Sunday morning, at 07:00AM we arrive at Syokimau – the Nairobi Passenger Terminus (NPT) which is located next to the current Syokimau Station approximately 14Kilometers from the CBD. For those wondering how passengers will make it to and from the CBD, arrangements are that they will enjoy commuter rail connection from a separate platform at the NPT.

Kenya’s first standard gauge rail train to Mombasa from Nairobi and back was made courtesy of The Kenya Tourism Board in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and Kenya Railways Corporation. I know many of you have been asking how you can be on the next one, now you know where to ask but surely there will be that grand opportunity from 1^st June 2017.

The Nairobi Terminus

The access road to the NPT is still being done. Hopefully it will be complete before the 1^st passenger Train kicks off on 31^st May from Mombasa to Nairobi by the President Uhuru Kenyatta. The passenger ticket machines are installed and pretty much the works in the Nairobi Terminus is almost complete. This is going to be a humongous platform that will handle both incoming and outgoing passengers fully fitted with seating and waiting lounges.

There are security scanners at all entrances complete with xray enabled luggage scanners for passenger’s safety. This I think is a great move in the history of public transport in Kenya that will guarantee to a large extend the security of passenger on board. The station also has escalators, lifts and stairs accessing various points on the platform with clear signage everywhere.

KR will outsource services to be provided at all the passenger stations including restaurants, shops, car park attendants, etc.

The First Passenger Train Journey to Mombasa

07:45 the brand new passenger train pulls up to the platform, the hostesses and conductors all dressed up in their uniforms stand in one file, saluting the train and in a military precision they enter to prepare the wagons for the first courtesy passengers. I did a rough and quick head count to an estimated 150 courtesy passengers. The passengers were mostly families which gave a good test to see the tenacity of the journey with kids on board. We are ushered in by the smiling and happy crew. So we were quite a small number of about 150 passenger which enabled free for all seating space across the entire train from First class to second class.

At 08:30 we depart for Mombasa. There is a lot of announcements to make sure that the passengers are comfortable and they do not miss any detail of the journey. I think the announcers could be given a bit more training to have the finesse of the announcers at JKIA. No pun intended. However I think it is a good thing to make sure that passengers are aware of their surrounding as well as safety and cleanliness measures.

The Passenger Wagons

Each wagon has two conductors and two hostesses. Passengers feel safe if they want to leave their items on the seats and have a walk across the train. The wagons have hangers for coats/jackets and hats. The train also has at least two armed Police Officers for the ultimate security.

The wagons have big non tinted windows that provide guests with the opportunity to enjoy Kenya’s beautiful landscape and connection to some of Kenya’s most pristine wilderness areas. On this occasion we spotted hundreds of Elephants as well as other wild animals in Tsavo East and West National Parks. This is appealing to both leisure and business seekers connecting Nairobi and Mombasa cities.

The wagons on this day for the most part of the first hour of the ride had a malfunctioned air condition. This was fixed later thus making the journey relaxing. This is a grey area since you can imagine with 1000 passengers on board and the air condition fails, it would be such a not so good environment to travel in.

Seating and view

The seating capacity for the passenger train is 1,551. On any one day, SGR has capacity to transport 3,102 passengers from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa. I was told should there be demand, a business class coach may also be provided in the train with business-class-aircraft-type of reclining seats.

The seating capacity in the second class wagon is 118 passengers. The seats on the Second Class Wagons have been fabricated with firm steel pipes holding them, cushioned and covered with fabric material. They are sets of three seats facing each other and separated by a little table in the middle affixed to the walling. The four base legs didn’t give me the feeling of stability especially if used over a long period. Time will tell if they can withstand the pressure of full capacity knowing that second class will have a relatively lower fare rate making the class overbooked and in most cases full all the time. Again I think for those random travellers, you will meet five new faces that will be forced to have a conversation and share the little table. I think they are a great conversation starter. Too bad for the anti-social travellers. These second class seats do not have arm rests. Yea, so the three by three passengers are stacked together and you had better create a travelling social bond if you are a second class lover. I mean why would anyone travel without talking to fellow travellers? We need to stop this bad manners. Greet people, smile at them, start a conversation. Let us accomplish that vision of one people one nation.

The capacity in First class wagon is 72 passengers seating. The seats in First class have a frim base and they can be turned around so that if you are travelling in a group of four, you can turn the seats so that you face each other and enjoy the journey. You can also pull the seating area and give it a reclining effect that leans the seat backwards for a more relaxing effect. But I couldn’t achieve that, I think the more upright position is better than the backward leaning position. This seats have a custom build table at the back of the seat giving the persons seating on the back somewhere to enjoy their drink or read a book. They also have armrests. This is especially good because it almost creates a private space for those travellers who just want to have their peace and quiet. Does this mean that the ones who can afford a higher fare rate are not good conversation starters?

The Dining Wagon

There is a dining wagon with a capacity of 50 passengers. Affixed to it is a kitchen and a service area. Passengers will enjoy dining and bar facilities on the train for the express as well as stopping train services in the comfortable restaurant car or in their seats for first class passengers.

Sleeping room.

There is a sleeping room for the night passengers that will want that option. Each compartment has four beds decked opposite each other. This is an option for a family that wants total privacy or friends travelling together. But heck, even total strangers can meet here and start a great conversations to relationships that will last. But remember it is for sleeping.

Wifi
We did not have wifi in this train but I was told plans are underway to ensure the train gets to be installed with good internet service.

For the Thirsty passengers
There are water points with sinks in every compartment making it easy to clean up or draw water for drinking and other uses too.

Dust Bins
There are dust bins in every compartment and announcements are made to passengers to cooperate with the staff and ensure they keep the train dust free.

Lavatories

There two lavatories on each wagon. I hope they will be kept clean to ensure total comfort of the passenger. KR forgot to put tissue paper on our inaugural ride. The kind of technology they use for this service is the vacuum enabled sucker which if tissue paper is used, it would result in clogging and total failure of the system. I know there exists better technology out there for this service and I hope we are not facing an imminent crisis knowing these very basic human need to release the excess weight in the body. So just remember to carry a spare tissue and remember to not load your system hahaha!!

Signage

There is signage in the wagons and each seat that you booked for will be your designated seating space. So on booking you will need to know if you like a window seat, middle seat, or an aisle seat (for the second class. While first class you will decide between the two seats. Should you miss the window seat, don’t worry since the windows are so wide and the view and scenery is amazing including a glimpse of the wildlife in the Nairobi, Kiboko and Tsavo National Parks.

The rail tracks and speed

The passenger locomotive speed is set at 158km/hr. For this journey we did an average of 118km/hr. The line is a class 1 railway designed for high speed and high capacity passengers and freight delivery.

Stations and Stops

The stations are all themed – borrowing heavily from the local surroundings. The works in the other stations apart from Nairobi and Mombasa are complete. The finishing is of high quality, a break away from the old and rusty stations of the lunatic express.

There are seven intermediate stations from Nairobi to Mombasa; - Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, Miasenyi and Mariakani.

There are twenty four crossing (Passing) stations – Mombasa port, Chigato, Manjeva, Mugalani, Mackninon, Road, Maungu, Ndi, Maololo, Tsavo, Kyulu, Kanga, Ndalasyani, Ngwata, Kinyambu, Makindu, Simba, Kivati, Sultan Hamud, Kima, Kiu, Ulu, Konza and Lukenya.

There will be an express train that will cover the Nairobi – Mombasa and Mombasa – Nairobi journeys within 4 hours and 30 minutes with only one brief stop at Mtito Andei. The stoping trains will take  5 hours and 15 minutes for the same distance.

Mombasa Terminus

At 1:00PM we arrived in Mombasa with the best views that the rail can provide. The Mombasa Passenger Terminus is located near Miritini – approximately 12 kilometres from Mombasa CBD. Passengers to and from Mombasa CBD will use public transport. Once finished I think the Mombasa station will be one of the best in the region although the architectural and design aspects were done to meet the local environment. The works on the ground is still far from finished but once done it will be one of the most picturesque locations in the coast region and quite appealing to the passenger. The station is greeted by a humongous control tower that seats imposingly above everything else as you approach.

Time

While on the inaugural journey it took us 5.5 hours to Mombasa with one stop at Emali station arriving at 1300hrs. The return journey took us 6 hours since we stopped for 3 minutes each in every of the intermediate stations. It took us 6.5 hours on the return journey from 1400hrs to 20:45hrs. With this in mind I am not sure how KR will achieve the 4.5 hour journey unless they build interchange lanes for on coming and outgoing trains, both passenger and freight.

The speed of the train is fine, no need for seat belts, because it is a train and not a bus or car. The technology is different. To those that want to do family travels it is a perfect opportunity. The air conditioning in the train minimises fatigue levels since you are travelling in controlled air condition making the journey all refreshing. Also the fact that one can walk up and down the train makes it easy to relax and enjoy the journey.

Tariffs

The tariff levels for both freight and passengers are still a subject of discussion and will be made public as soon as SGR is ready for operation. I think this information needs to be up as of now knowing that we have about three weeks to the launch date. Many of you have asked me the same questions and to be honest, we all will have to wait until KR announces the rates. However the introductory rates are widely said to be cheaper and I hope that KR will put in measures to ensure that local tourism is promoted through friendly rates that will be embraced by majority of Kenyans and other passengers.

While the introductory tariffs will be easily reachable by majority of Kenyans, I doubt that the new and proper rates will be sustainable. The high tariffs when they come into effect will not convince people to look at the benefits of the train ride. It is widely known even in the most developed nations that Train tariffs are very expensive. The costs of maintaining the service will not be cheap and as such the high cost of running the service will mean the tax payers will have to either finance it or pay exorbitant rates to afford it.

Some public concerns

Quite a number of you were following my journey on social media and other platforms. In fact the folks at #theFirePlace kept asking all manner of questions mostly very important questions to ensure that they get the feel and hang of things. They are some of the best brains we have in the country. On seeing the photos of the seats in the second class that I shared on the Accountability Demand Group, Juliana wondered posed as an important question that a typical Kenyan would pose. In fact as soon as I entered the train the thought immediately crossed my mind on the fabric almost velvety cushioned seats. There needs to be a meticulous plan to keep those seats clean and free of lice and other bugs. I mean isn’t it reality that these things find themselves in the most unfamiliar places because of the various conditions humans live in?

The Lunatic Express (Kenya Railways Old Trains) used to have wipe-able heavy duty plastic to cover the seats for ease of maintenance. The cost of maintaining the fabric will be very high. (I know many of you have been to our Matatus that have been fitted with velvety fabric seats. With the dust and the heat, with continued washing, there comes a pungent smell that is unfathomable as you enter such a matatu. Now imagine that kind of a feeling in a passenger train that carries over 1000 passenger on a go.

Let me pose for a moment. The cleanliness in the train is very high. In fact the hostesses kept moving around the train cleaning any dirt that may have found its way on the floor. Announcements kept coming to parents to take care of their young ones so that we all keep the train free of garbage and dirt. SGR management has taken all the precaution. But try and imagine the train on full capacity. 1000 passengers with their 1000 problems, the staff will be overwhelmed. The seats will begin to see better days and will require complete replacement of the fabric. I think someone will listen and put up all weather material for those seats. We all want a long lasting solution that is cost effective.

Cost of Project and Return on Investment

So much has been said about the total costs of the SGR in Kenya. In fact the World Bank has come up with firm reports about its costs and how it is unsustainable to the Kenyan economy given the fact that we have heavily borrowed from China and EXIM Bank for the SGR development. 

Will the cost of the entire project be sustainable? Was this project meant for us to use or was it meant for the cartels in Government to make money? Will the project succeed on its implementation? Are the cost implications worth the work that has gone in noting the widely circulated and speculative allegations that other countries have used less than what we have to put up similar infrastructure?

Will the SGR appeal to both leisure and business seekers? I ask this because fact is that passengers services are just icing on the cake since the main objective of building the railway is to increase freight transport capacity in the Northern Corridor. 

Will the competing interests of Tanzania in setting up their own port injure our ambition and business plan? Will the freight traffic and capacity we have currently break even in the short term. This are questions that will continue to linger in the minds of many Kenyans and I hope we shall find the answers in time.

Mass Transport is best option

I am an ardent promoter of mass transport. Green practices are the way to go for the future. Any technological advancement that moves us closer to sustaining our environment is a welcome idea. But the cost implications should also be sustainable. Smart Movement is the way to go for all humanity. According to new studies, taking public transport instead of driving appears to make people happier and helps them to sleep better (source: www.independent.co.uk). Also, riding the bus or train to work is associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and being overweight, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015 (source: news.heart.org). I hope that the SGR is the first step to Kenya achieving greener modes of transport for her citizens.

So, why wait?

For Now you have a little snippet of what it will take for you and your loved ones to take advantage of the Kenya Railway service, travel and see the magical Kenya and enjoy.

You can also read:

Deal or No Deal? Strictly business for China in Kenya?

World Bank Report on the Standard Gauge Railway

Why the World Bank Backed out of the Project

Uhuru says unfazed by negative reports on SGR – Business Daily

On Kenya’s Economy, World Bank and IMF are telling a different story – Daily Nation