Kenya: The Eastern Region That the Country Has Forgotten
AllAfrica.com, Washington - September 7, 2007
The Upper Eastern region covers the three districts of Marsabit, Isiolo and Moyale.
This is where majority of the groups that speak Cushitic Oromo dialects live. They are Borana, Gabra, Rendille, Turkana, Samburu, Meru (in Isiolo), Burji, Dessanetch and El Molo, among others.
The region has one of the highest concentration of diverse ethnic groups with pastoralist backgrounds. It is arid and semi-arid and has a long history of neglect and underdevelopment. Despite the problems, the loud silence from the region, especially at this time when political drums are beating, is astounding.
Politics and development are two sides of the same coin. People or regions that make the loudest noise about neglected and threaten the ruling elite with withdrawal of support are listened to. The irony is that in Upper Eastern, this is not happening. It is as if leaders wait for development manna to drop from the skies of Marsabit, Isiolo and Moyale.
Those clamouring for presidential votes are traversing the country in search of support. They do not care about Upper Eastern. They believe that western Kenya, eastern or the coastal votes are more valuable than the 'few scattered' pastoralist votes.
Thus the election is about votes and not people and how best to improve their lives. Of course, the big players will go to Upper Eastern after they have covered the 'core' areas ...