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.

Focus lacking in Kenyan Politics

Kenyans will have to put up with quite some bit of politicking for the next few weeks. Opposition politicians have been shouting themselves hoarse as they call for the government's resignation. What started in 2002 continues unabated. We are seeing a new crop of leaders who speak nothing but politics. Where were these leaders when the ill-fated building at Nyamakima collapsed just days ago? Have they spoken out on the need to have a well trained rescue force? Sadly, no is the answer. They haven't at all. All they talk of and call for are resignations, sackings and who should take over the reins of power in the country.

Kenyan politicians have never really been committed to the fight against corruption. They have failed to point out acts of wanton corruption in the past and are only doing so now because it will help their political cause if they vilify the current government. It is not my intention to support or condone any form of corruption. Those who have engaged in corruption in the current regime must go. They should be charged in a court of law. But so should those who engaged in corruption in the past regime, many of whom are now prentending to be clean citizens battling the vice. What we are seeing is a generation of politicians who have acquired wealth through some shadowy process and who are using the same wealth to discredit the sitting government.

My concern is that there is just too much politics in the air right now. It is time to move on and the politicians should urgently address more pressing development matters.