KCDN formerly constituted- 30th May 2013

Dear Friends and Members,
The Kimisho Community Development Network- KCDN was formerly constituted today when a Team of Eminent Persons sharing in the same vision met under the Chairmanship of Bishop Johannes Angela- the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bondo.
Seated L-R; Mr. Fanuel Odhiambo- Commissioner of Cooperatives, Mr. Odhiambo T Oketch- Executive Director- KCDN, Bishop Johannes Angela- Bishop ACK Bondo Diocese. Standing L-R; Mr. Fred Banja, Mr. Manasseh Ong'wen, Dr Florence Achungo, Mr. Joseph Kwaka, Ms Janet Awino, Mr. Leonard Obidha and Mr. Caesar Asiyo
It was a very exciting moment for the entire Board, for today, we have formerly launched a vehicle that will drive the Three Pillars we have always believed in, namely;

1. Environmental Management,
2. Economic Empowerment, and
3. Poverty Eradication.

The Board of KCDN will comprise of the following persons;

1. Chairman; Bishop Johannes Angela
2. Board Member; Sen Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o
3. Board Member; Mr. Joseph Kwaka
4. Board Member; Mr. Caesar Asiyo
5. Board Member; Dr Florence Akinyi Achungo
6. Board Member; Ms Janet Winnie Awino
7. Board Member; Mr. Manasseh Ong'wen
8. Board Member; Mr. Fredrick Banja
9. Secretary and Executive Director; Odhiambo T Oketch

The Board also discussed the Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd and further details will be announced in due course. We want to develop structures upon which the Sacco will run because we are keen in making some fundamental and monumental changes on how we have been doing things, principally touching on attitude change.
This is going to come with several Educational Initiatives, Capacity Buildings and Exchange Programmes that will be beneficial to our Members.
During our 1st Board Meeting we got very insightful guidance from the Commissioner of Cooperatives and the Secretary to the Poverty Eradication Commission. We had deliberately invited them to take us through the ropes and make us understand what setting up a Sacco entails and more so, what it takes to fight for Poverty Eradication. We are truly indebted to these State Officers for sharing their valuable insights.
Later in the afternoon, I met with Ms Suzzana Owiyo, to put into proper perspective the up coming World Environment Day activities. Suzzana and a Team of Women Celebrities will be joining in the World Environment Day by hosting the Soko Bila Waste Campaign. We will be at Wakulima Market on the 5th June 2013 as from 7.00am and it will be exciting watching Suzzana and a team of Women celebrities vending their wares at the Market. This will be followed by a Clean up at the Market.
We are inviting several Partnerships and we will be communicating this in good time.
We at KCDN and The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC do firmly believe that we can make our Markets and Neighbourhoods clean if we so wish. To this extent, we will be Partnering with The Suzzana Owiyo Foundation, the Media Personalities and Corporates to drive the Soko Bila Waste Campaign across all our 47 Counties.
Let us join hands and work for a Clean Kenya as we celebrate our 50 years of Independence.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader and Executive Director,
KCDN, KSSL, KICL,
Tel; +254 724 365 557,
Email; kimishodevelopment@gmail.com, komarockswatch@yahoo.com
BlogSpot; http:kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

Launching Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd

Dear Members of Kimisho,
I am pleased to inform you today that our great work at launching Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd- KSSL is now complete. All Members of KSSL will Register as Members of Kimisho Community Development Network- KCDN.
Our Board will sit for the first time tomorrow and immediately thereafter, we shall unveil the Team.
Tomorrow night, as from 9.20pm until midnight, I will be hosted at Radio Mayienga on the latest developments at Kimisho.
We will then host our 1st Annual General Meeting where Members will endorse the Board and the Management Committee.
The Board will also appoint a General Manager to oversee the day to day management of Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd as we start a massive Membership Drive. We will have many exciting Economic Revival Packages to inspire more Economic activities from our Members and as many people who believe in our Three Pillars are free to join with us. Our Three Pillars are;

1. Environmental Management,
2. Economic Empowerment, and
3. Poverty Eradication

May the good Lord give us the strength to move on with Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader and Executive Director,
KCDN, KSSL, KICL,
Tel; +254 724 365 557,
Email; kimishodevelopment@gmail.com, komarockswatch@yahoo.com
BlogSpot; http:kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

KCDN and KSSL are now set

Dear Friends,
We have made great progress in the last few days and I am happy that both Kimisho Community Development Network and Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd have been Registered.
We have also completed the task of identifying a team of 9 Eminent Persons to sit at the Board of Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd and we will get Strategic Support and Advice from another Team of Professionals.
L-R; Simprose, Mary Akello, Odhiambo T Oketch, fred Banja, Philemon Odhiambo and Fred Sangulo in a Group Photo after our Busia Meeting on the 22nd May 2013
We will host the Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Directors and our Team of Strategic Advisers on the 30th May 2013 and immediately thereafter, we will make the Team Public.
I want to sincerely thank all those who have given me their support, advice and strategic intellect in moving this dream forward. I want to make a commitment to all our Members that Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd will operate within the Sacco Rules and the Board is going to immediately appoint a General Manager to move us forward.
May I take this opportunity to wish all our supporters well in this massive undertaking. We are equal to the task and we will move our agenda to her logical conclusion.

Let us all work for a Clean and Productive Kenya as a Transformative Deliverable as Kenya turns 50 and beyond, and let us work for The Great Luo Revival- going back to the Basics. 

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,                                                                                                                   KCDN, KSSL, KICL,                                                                                                                  Email; mailto:kimishodevelopment@gmail.com                                                               Email; mailto:komarockswatch@yahoo.com                                                                           Tel; +254 724 365 557                                                   http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com                                                                                                  

KSSL opens an office in Busia

Dear Friends,
We had a great meeting with our Members in Busia yesterday the 22nd May 2013- in fact, the largest so far.
The Busia Kimisho Meeting; L-R; Mr. Fred Banja, Oto, Mr. Philemon Odhiambo- Kimisho Team Leader Siaya County, Ms Mary Akello- Kimisho Team Leader Busia County and Mama Maendelo
Members of Kimisho Community Development Network-KCDN come in their large numbers to an extent that many people were left standing as the meeting went on.
We are on course and after our meeting of yesterday, we are pleased that KCDN opened her first Office Space in Busia. We are making all deliberate efforts to stay on course and beat our self declared time lines and we want to sincerely appreciate Ms Mary Akello- our Team Leader in Busia County, and her Team Members- Jared, Mama Maendeleo, Pastor Ojera and the rest, for the great efforts they are making in Busia.
Mr. Banja addressing the Meeting. With him is Mr. Stephen Obala.
We must also sincerely appreciate Mr. Stephen Obala for being our able emcee for the day. Mr. Obala is in fact the Chairman of Busia Bussiness Association and we will be working very closely with him and his Team Members as we move Kimisho forward.
We also want to sincerely appreciate our Team Leader in Migori- Mr. Joseph Odindo and our Team Leader in Siaya Mr. Philemon Odhiambo for the efforts they have put in place to help us develop KCDN and KSSL. Mr. Odhiambo was also with us during the Busia Meeting.
I want to sincerely appreciate my Team Members at The Apex for the support they have given to me- Chairman Manasseh Ong'wen, Vice Chair Ms Judith Ombok, Vice Secretary Ms Everlyn Akumu, Treasurer Mr. Fred Banja, and our Committee Members Joel Akama, Mary Akello, Justus Ooko, Dorcus Amondi, Mr. Kneller Osano and Ms Christine Mogalo. This is the Team moving the Kimisho Train forward.

A Group Photo with some of the participants in Busia yesterday the 22nd May 2013

I also want to appreciate the Team we are assembling for the Board of Directors at KSSL. In accordance to the Cooperative Rules- we are supposed to have a Board of between 5 and 9 persons and the people we have approached are men and women of standing in our Kenyan Society. I am happy to report that 5 Eminent Persons have so far accepted to serve in this Board. We are seeking 4 more and I am confident that The Board will be in place in time for our 1st Annual General Meeting that will ratify the operations of Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd.
A Group Photo inside our Busia Office- Mr. Fred Sangulo is in front. Standing L-R; Pastor Ojera, Mama Maendeleo, Fred Banja, Philemon Odhiambo, Mary Akello and Oto
Finally, my Team and I are working on the final details for Kimisho and as soon as this is done, we will invite our 1st Board Meeting and immediately thereafter, we will host our 1st Annual General Meeting. The rest will fall in place as we move this valuable train towards our Great Revival as a People.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader and Executive Director,
Kimisho Community Development Network,
Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd,
Tel; +254 724 365 557
Email; kimishodevelopment@gmail.com komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com 

Coop Officer meets Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd Members

Friends,
We were privileged today to host Mr. Paul Kibugi, an Officer from the Ministry of Cooperatives at the Villa Rosa Club in Nairobi to help guide our process of forming a Sacco Society.
L-R; Mr. Fred Banja- KCDN Treasurer, Mr. Paul Kibugi from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Odhiambo T Oketch during todays meeting
The meeting was attended by 41 Members and it was refreshing being taken through what it takes to form a Sacco Society. We had a very engaging interaction with the Officer and when he was through with us, we were convinced that we are doing the right thing the right way.
Now, forming a Sacco has never been an easy thing. Many have tried and in most cases, many have failed. In forming Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd, we are advancing our Environmental Management Clarion, Poverty Eradication Drive and Economic Revival for our members. Many people would like to be in a Sacco and yet, they have no such opportunities.
Members following the proceedings
We have made it clear that we are employing a General Manager to manage KSSL and already, 5 persons of repute have accepted to serve in the KSSL Board. As soon as we open the doors, we shall announce the Team that is behind the formation of KSSL and we will then engage in a massive Recruitment of Members.
Our Registration Fee per Member is Kshs 300.00 payable to any of our accounts nearer to you;

1.  Kimisho Community Development Network- Kenya Commercial Bank- Kipande House Branch- Account Number-114 2400 913
2. Kimisho Community Development Network- Cooperative Bank of Kenya- City Hall Annexe Branch- Account Number-1134 4232 4095 00 

Members will then be invited to pay a minimum Monthly Contribution of Kshs 220.00- Kshs 200.00 being your savings while Kshs 20.00 will go towards management.
Group Photo after the meeting- Oto, Ms Judith Ombok- Vice Chair KCDN, Mr. Paul Kibugi, Mr. Fred Banja, Ms Siprose and Phoebe in the frontline
We will be meeting with our Members in Busia tomorrow at Yourner Hotel at 10am
Let us all join in working for a Clean and Productive Kenya as we turn 50 years.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader and Executive Director,
Kimisho Community Development Network,
Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd,
Tel; +254 724 365 557
Email; kimishodevelopment@gmail.com komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

Oto meets with KCDN Members across Nyanza

Dear Friends of Nyanza,
With the Elections over and both Parliament and Senate hell bent on having it their way, and with the Digital Cabinet almost being sworn into office, many things are happening across Kenya. We have seen the intentions of the Two House Speakers and from their initial behaviour, we are going to be in for a rough time.
In Luo Nyanza, I was keen in looking at why we are where we are 50 years into our Independence.
It is gratifying to note that our Political Leadership under the Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga, the Governors, the Senators, the Members of Parliament, the County Women Representatives and County Ward Representatives have all realized that we must change our attitude and move on.
L-R; Odhiambo T Oketch, Bishop Otieno Wasonga of the Diocese of Maseno West and Mr. Philemon Ouma Odhiambo in Siaya at the Diocese Office on 8th May 2013
Seated L-R; Mr. Ouma Ojenge, Ms Mary Akello Omollo- our Team Leader in Busia, Mr. Philemon Ouma Odhiambo- our Team Leader in Siaya and members
We have fought for change as Luos and every time, we have been short changed. It all started in 1963 when the Great Jaramogi led in the fight for the release of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta from prison. The Jaramogi insisted that Mzee Kenyatta was the light that was going to lead Kenya into Independence and with that, he Toshad Kenyatta for the Premiership of Kenya. Soon, he fell off with Mzee Kenyatta and with that came our 1st loss.
Our 2nd loss was in 1992, when the Great Jaramogi led the FORD Movement into fighting for the return of Multi-Party politics. The Great Jaramogi was on his way to the Presidency when Hon Kenneth Matiba came over and messed the party.
Our 3rd loss was in 2002 when the Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga Toshad Mzee Mwai Kibaki only to fall victim to power politics and intrigues.
Our 4th loss was well documented in 2007 just like our 5th loss has been witnessed by the entire world.
These string of loses made me decide to find out what the problem was, and sadly, we are our own problem. I was invited to some Media Houses where we discussed these issues and I must sincerely appreciate Radio Ramogi, Radio Mayienga and all our vernacular Radios who have really invested in educating us.
I took a Tour across Nyanza starting with Siaya on the 8th May, Bondo on the 9th May, Kisumu on the 10th May, Awasi and Katito on the 11th May, Rodi Kopany and Rongo on the 12th May, Migori and Awendo on the 13th May and ended my visits in Homa Bay on the 14th May. What impressed me during these visits was that we seem to know what ails us. It was only in a few places that the truth was not as clear, but after our discussions, it became very clear.
A Group Photo with the Provost Rev William Abungu after our Bondo meeting.
Economic Power
One thing that many of us agreed on is that we must go back to the roots. In Nyanza, we import all sorts of food items, from onion, tomotoes, Sukuma Wiki, Milk, Egg, Chicken, Maize in all her forms- almost everything. We are spending our hard earned money on these food items which we can otherwise produce by ourselves.
We must all go back to food production as a first step. And our youth must stop idling in Bus Stops reading Newspapers.
Financial Power
In Luo Nyanza, we have been struggling with opening Financial Institutions. This has left us as the only open market to all sorts of Financial Institution who bring nothing in terms of development to us. Instead, many Financial institutions are engaged in massive rip offs in Nyanza. They are managing our money in revolving funds yet they give us nothing in terms of growth. These are well documented.
We must stop enriching these money merchants and plan actively for our selves.
Industrial Power
We have no known Industries in Nyanza. The many that were opened have since closed and the sad case scenario is that of Kenya Breweries Ltd. Did they close their Kisumu Plant because Luos are not heavy drinkers or simply because they did not want to spend their money in Nyanza? Yet, Luos are still the most heavy drinkers anywhere in the world.
Kenya Breweries Ltd knew that a Brewing Plant comes with well paid Technocrats- people who will need decent housing, decent social amenities and heavy spending. This meant having a Team that will freely spend in Kisumu, and they did not want this. Again, the question of closed or non performing Industries in Nyanza is a question of Economic sabotage and not non viability.
Buying Power
Siaya County has a population of close to about 600,000 people. Assuming each person spends Kshs 100.00 per day, that will translate to Kshs 60,000,000.00 per day. And where do we spend this money? In buying imported vegetables, imported eggs, imported milk, imported maize, imported onion, imported tomatoes and whatever we remain with, we bank in the many foreign Banks we have in Nyanza.
Let us be very realistic here; how come we are such philanthropic with people you can never build even a kiosk in their home areas?
Let me give you a quick matrix of our buying power across Luo Nyanza;
1. Siaya County with a Population of 600,000 people with each person spending Kshs 100.00 per day spends Kshs 60m per day on Food Imports. Whatever you remain with you take to their banks where they can NEVER give you a loan.
2. Kisumu County with a Population of 960,000 people with each person spending Kshs 100.00 per day spends Kshs 96m per day on Food Imports. Whatever you remain with you take to their banks where they can NEVER give you a loan.
3. Homa Bay County with a Population of 960,000 people with each person spending Kshs 100.00 per day spends Kshs 96m per day on Food Imports. Whatever you remain with you take to their banks where they can NEVER give you a loan.
4. Migori County with a Population of 850,000 people with each person spending Kshs 100.00 per day spends Kshs 85m per day on Food Imports. Whatever you remain with you take to their banks where they can NEVER give you a loan.
Now, are we really poor? Are we poverty stricken as we are wont to be told? I bet not. It is our Economic Power that is building other Counties in Kenya.
Transport
Have you ever asked yourself why all these Buses that go to Kisumu and Kakamega stop and fuel full tanks in Nakuru to and from Nyanza and Western? Is it that we have no Fuel Stations in Kisumu and Kakamega? No. It is very simple- they do not want to spend their money in Nyanza and Western. It is better for them to fuel in Nakuru as the passengers spend their money on their food. Not the reverse.
Opening a Bank
I have heard on several occasions that Luo 'Professionals' are meeting to discuss how to open a Bank. But the moment you call yourself a Luo 'Professional', you have effectively sidelined a vast majority of Luos. You have become an elitist club.
The irony of the whole thing has been that these Luo 'Professionals' meet at Sagret Hotel to discuss how to open a Luo Bank while being served with their food and drinks, by their waiter and in their premises. And they are talking in English!
Did you know why the Deposits for opening a Bank have been going up? It is because of these Luo 'Professionals' who have been meeting in their establishments as they talk in English about opening a Bank at a time their are being served by their people. The waiter takes back the word and the message is immediately transmitted upwords.
Bado Mapambano
We have sang Bado Mapambano for so long now. But has anyone taken some analysis of the obtaining facts. You wake up in their house that you have rented then send your House Help to their shop to buy their milk, egg and bread for breakfast. You then rush to the stage to board their Bus to town. Immediately you are in town, you rush to their burtchery to eat their meat so that you have enough power to sing Bado Mapambano. The moment you are done, you meet in their joints to discuss your none issues then board their buses to take you back to their house which you have rented.
And you pretend that you want power!
All is not lost on us though. We can work ourselves from this situation and build a formidable economic power house in Luo Nyanza. The Kshs 337m we are spending on Food Imports daily in Luo Nyanza if spent amongst us as a people, will instantly build our economy. If we can circulate this money amongst ourselves, we will have made a statement.
And only then will we be strong enough to seek political kingdom. Telo ok kaw gi dhier. Jakom and his Team have some work to do, and as our Supreme General, he must go back to the Situation Room as we manage the front line.
An Odhiambo T Oketch

KCDN Tours Nyanza and Mombasa

Dear Team Members,
We are starting a Tour of Duty across Siaya, Bondo, Kisumu, Awasi, Migori, Awendo, Homa Bay, Oyugis and Mombasa tomorrow to meet with our Members.
We will be at Maseno West Diocese Siaya tomorrow 8th May as from 10am.
Then Bondo at the ACK Church on 9th May at 10am.
YWCA in Kisumu on 10th May at 10am.
DC's Office Awasi on 11th May at 10am.
Migori on 13th May at 10am.
Awendo on 14th May at 10am.
Homa Bay on 15th May at 10am.
Oyugis on 16th May at 10am, and then
Mombasa on 24th May at 10am.
All our Members and Friends are invited to come dialogue with us.
Peace and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader and Executive Director,
KCDN, KSSL and KICL
Tel; +254 724 365 557
Email; kimishodevelopment@gmail.com
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Group Mailing List; friendsofnyanza@yahoogroups.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

A Great Beginning for a Great Revival

Dear Friends,
On Saturday the 4th May 2013, a Great Team of 35 Leaders drawn from across Nairobi met at Komarock and we had great deliberations about our Great Beginning for a Great Revival.
We ratified what our Team Leaders have been discussing based on the Radio Talk Shows where Migosi Odhiambo T Oketch has been hosted severally in the recent times.
We ratified our Constitution and set up parameters for onward engagements.
We have set the whole process in motion, and today, our Team Leaders will be meeting at 2.30pm to fast track the processes of Registration.
We want to appreciate all the Members who have Registered as we start our County Visits that will take us to Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and Mombasa in the next 20 days.
Even as we travel, we will keep communicating with all our Team Members, for it is your support and commitment that has energized our resolve.
We must all join hands in going back to the Basics- Massive Food Production.
May the Almighty God bless our efforts as we engage with our People in this Great Beginning for our Great Revival.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader and Executive Director,
KCDN, KSSL, KICL.
Tel; +254 724 365 557
Email; kimishodevelopment@gmail.com
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Mailing List; friendsofnyanza@yahoogroups.com