Blog Contest

There was a contest last month:
How can the World Bank help#End poverty in Kenya?
We're inviting Kenyan citizens between the ages of 18-35
to answer this question.

This is what I wrote:

As early as 1965, the Government of Kenya recognized poverty as one of the major constraints of human development.
Today, 49  years  later, the poverty levels are higher, not lesser despite numerous interventions by Government of Kenya and non-governmental  institutions.
I strongly believe for us to win the fight against poverty, Kenyans must first learn to think for themselves.
From birth, majority of Kenyans are socialised to obey, follow instructions and not to question.
Growing up, the model child is the one who obeys her parents, guardians and elders.
In school ,she is taught to listen to the teachers, without  questioning and cram the textbooks in order to pass exams.
The same cycle happens in institutions of higher learning, she learns in order to pass exams.
At the workplace, the ‘best ‘employees are those who follow instructions to the letter. In fact submissiveness is applauded.
The media- tv, radio, internet, bookshops is   awash with advice and tips on how to be a girl, wife, mother. The religious and cultural   institutions further reinforce these instructions.
This way, in all spheres of her life, others are thinking for her. She doesn't get an opportunity to ask the pertinent ‘why’. Or even explore who she is and what she stands for.
Then, along comes a politician or organisation and tells her she’s poor. Since she has always accepted whatever labels have been thrust on her, she agrees, then signs up for whatever solution is being presented to her.
I believe empowering  Kenyans to think for themselves is key in addressing poverty. Let them define poverty for themselves ,what it means to them and what they can do about it. This way, they will stop being guinea pigs for solutions drawn up in boardrooms and offices.
Vast amounts of time, energy and resources have been spent addressing poverty and the situation is getting worse, not improving. Let’s go back to the drawing board and get Kenyans in this conversation. Ask them what they think the hitch is, why we seem to be doing a two steps forward, three steps back dance. Find out what ought to be done and how they can get involved in the efforts, not as recipients  and statistics, but as partners and stakeholders, whose voice holds  sway.
The solutions to Kenya’s poverty lie not with the Government or World Bank but with the Kenyans. It’s time to equip them with the confidence to trust their thoughts and the courage to air them.

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