The Kongowea Lessons

Cleaning Kongowea Wholesale Market gave us the test of our time.
A Clean Kongowea Market
First, we were maligned and called names. We were dared to even set foot at Kongowea but our resolve was very clear. We were dealing with someone who has perfected the art of rabble rousing, and as such, we were never bothered at all. The only thing that bothered us, but only for a while was when Naomi Cidi joined in the rabble rousing.
We thought that Naomi having worked for Kenya at such senior positions was in a position to rise above smallness. We were mistaken. She descended below her status and it is sad she wants to be a Governor of some County in Kenya. We wish her well.

A dirty Kongowea before the Clean-up Campaign

We went to Mombasa and had a meeting with the Town Clerk and his team. We went back again to meet the local leaders and the market leaders. Then we went back for the Clean-up Campaign, a campaign that was attended by slightly over 5,000 traders and volunteers. A Campaign that now stands as our best effort so far across Kenya.
The result was magnificent. We have posted the photos on our Facebook Page for those who might want to view; Monthly Nationwide Clean Up Campaign and Odhiambo T Oketch.
A few lessons were learnt though and we want to clearly state them as we state our resolve to run The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign across Kenya.

1. The virulent attack on us was a blessing in disguise for us at KCDN. It made three serious groups invite us for serious discussions about the Campaign and their willingness to be our Partners. The last group just called me yesterday. We will in the fullness of time give details.
2. It exposed how some people behave. We had initiated attempts to romp in some few people to the Campaign so that we can strengthen the process across Kenya. We did not know that they were not interested in working hard for a process to succeed. They were all only interested in what they were going to be paid, but not how to work for the process to become self sustaining. We are happy that at the slightest test on KCDN and on my person, Eric Mburi, Benji Ndolo and Erickson Oduya denied us just like Peter denied Jesus at His most hour of need, and they opted out. The good thing is, we have a team that is working successfully for the Campaign and with tangible results.
3. I was accused of running KCDN as a one man show. If that is true, then I must be congratulated for being this efficient. If the success that we have witnessed across Kenya are my personal triumphs, then the Campaign will go far.
4. I was accused of being a conman and a swindler. I am happy that I am a conman and a swindler who announces what he is doing in broad day light without fear of being arrested for the crimes that I commit. I am happy that such attempts to portray me as a conman and a swindler has instead strengthened my resolve to con and swindle many more people. The good thing is, we post our request for support, partnership and participation in the open and all willing Friends respond out of their own volition.
5. There has been some demands from busy bodies and some idlers that we be transparent and accountable at KCDN. If posting what we are doing in both our blog and website is not being transparent and accountable, then, to this idlers and busy bodies I say this; we will NEVER be accountable to you. We will remain faithful to Friends of KCDN and our Partners as we have always been. We will never change this.
6. Lastly, we have more conviction that the forces of goodness will forever remain above the satanic verses. 

To this end, our Campaign continues and The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign gets more serious Partners.
A Clean Kongowea Market after the Clean-up
Lastly, in the fullness of time and at our own discretion, we will update the list of Partners in our website. All the Friends of KCDN, Institutions, Corporates and any other Donor to KCDN are well briefed and they have no problem with this intentional delay on our part to update the list of our Partners.
'Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek'- President Barack Obama of the USA.
A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 is possible and achievable.

Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Kenya,
National Coordinator- The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
Tel; 0724 365 557
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch