Dog Food Offer for Kenyan Children Sparks Outrage
There is nothing worse than looking a gift horse in the mouth or so goes the adage. People are not supposed to choose or make comments when gifts are delivered. But when the gift in question is dog food and it is being offered for the well being and nourishment of children (not puppies), that is an entirely different matter. Sparks are still flying and the tension is electric as debate rages on the offer by a New Zealand businesswoman to send 42 tonnes of dog food to feed starving children in Luo Nyanza (see Nation story).
The offer was met by condemnation by a cross section of Kenyans including senior government officials. (read more) The debate is justified, the fury and rage triggered is understandable and the condemnation of the offer is driven by years of accrued suspicion of the West . Already, there are fears that racist stereotyping of Africans may have played a role in influencing the choice of gift for the hungry children of Mbita in Nyanza, Kenya.
It is hard to imagine that the manufacturers of Mighty Mix dog food actually proferred their help genuinely. They may have, but I cannot help feeling that they intended to gain publicity for the Mighty Mix dog food. Now millions know of the Mighty Mix brand of dog food more than they know of the country it was being offered to. No marketing blitz for that brand would have achieved the level of publicity for Mighty Mix that the aid offer (stunt?) has achieved. How can one explain all the quotes attributed to the company's boss explaining the supposed nourishing effects of the mixture? She spent so much time explaining the qualities... never mind the details... she insists she was genuinely driven to help the hungry children of Kenya.
To sceptical locals, the gift turned out to be an insult to their senses. They were apalled at the thought that the New Zealanders thought their gesture was helpful. It has touched a raw nerve in Kenya and people are seeing the whole act as the manifestation of some level of racism. They believe that perhaps some people think Africans can feed on food meant for animals.
The whole incident should serve as a wake up call to all Kenyans. It is time we pulled our act together and increased and improved our food production levels. That way nobody will have to offer us dog food, bird food or whatever concoction they think is fit for our consumption.
The offer was met by condemnation by a cross section of Kenyans including senior government officials. (read more) The debate is justified, the fury and rage triggered is understandable and the condemnation of the offer is driven by years of accrued suspicion of the West . Already, there are fears that racist stereotyping of Africans may have played a role in influencing the choice of gift for the hungry children of Mbita in Nyanza, Kenya.
It is hard to imagine that the manufacturers of Mighty Mix dog food actually proferred their help genuinely. They may have, but I cannot help feeling that they intended to gain publicity for the Mighty Mix dog food. Now millions know of the Mighty Mix brand of dog food more than they know of the country it was being offered to. No marketing blitz for that brand would have achieved the level of publicity for Mighty Mix that the aid offer (stunt?) has achieved. How can one explain all the quotes attributed to the company's boss explaining the supposed nourishing effects of the mixture? She spent so much time explaining the qualities... never mind the details... she insists she was genuinely driven to help the hungry children of Kenya.
To sceptical locals, the gift turned out to be an insult to their senses. They were apalled at the thought that the New Zealanders thought their gesture was helpful. It has touched a raw nerve in Kenya and people are seeing the whole act as the manifestation of some level of racism. They believe that perhaps some people think Africans can feed on food meant for animals.
The whole incident should serve as a wake up call to all Kenyans. It is time we pulled our act together and increased and improved our food production levels. That way nobody will have to offer us dog food, bird food or whatever concoction they think is fit for our consumption.
posted by Kelele Leo @ 2:07 PM
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