Sunday 20 October 2013


Today, in Kenya, it is Mashujaa Day. Yes 20th October. It is a public holiday we previously called Kenyatta Day – dedicated to the name of the 1st president Jomo Kenyatta. Still not sure for what reason precisely but I presume for his role in the push for nationalism and independence from British colonial rule.

Well, we have found something more useful to do with the day. Unlike ‘Moi Day – 10th October’, named after Kenya’s 2nd president Daniel Moi that we abolished, it is now penned in the Constitution of Kenya – 2010 that on 20th of October of every year we take time off work to recognise, honour and celebrate exceptional Kenyans. I mean brave men and women who have defied the odds to demonstrate the true spirit of being Kenyan.  Men and women who in one way or another, by the nature of their actions or the substance of their words have left a mark that defines our true Kenyanness – the athletes, the businessmen/women, the clerics, philanthropists, scholars etc. We call the day ‘Mashujaa Day’. ‘Mashujaa’ plural for ‘Shujaa’ which is Swahili for ‘the brave one’ – like warrior, indomitable.

Every year, on this day, I pause to reflect; to find that one person that has demonstrated that true Kenyan bravery. The kind of courage that I believe will liberate us not from colonialism, but from the littleness of our poverty, the littleness of our ethnocentrism and political bigotry. The kind of audacity that will someday make us truly ONE.

This Sunday 20th October, 2013 - For helping transform that humble village boy; raised in a sugarcane plantation in rural Kenya into a world-class citizen (the one I consider myself to be today) You are my ‘Shujaa’ Dr Joshua Odongo Oron. I pause at this point to stand up, raise my left hand to my temple, to sing the words of our national anthem to honour the greatness and patriotism in that little deed.

I have come to believe that one of the greatest gifts that a person can be honoured with is the freedom to think openly and the ability to muster the courage to do something about those thoughts. The ability to objectively weigh and reflect on issues and freely express the way he or she feels about them.

You might not know it but that little known trip from the shores of Lake Victoria across countries to the midlands in the United Kingdom, thousands of miles away from my small world, that you gracefully sponsored has made the words in the paragraph above a reality in me. Doc, godfathering me, guaranteeing me an opportunity to receive high quality, eye opening education is invaluable. That is what true Kenyans do: getting out of their way to do extraordinary things that change lives, alter the course of history. Like investing in others - ensuring that an incapable Kenyan student like me, little known to you, did not worry about food or rent or healthcare while he concentrated on furthering his education.

Happy Mashujaa Day Doc!

My the good lord that we speak to in our national anthem keep you, protect you, bless you with good health and prosper you. May he grant you and Widows and Orphans International the grace and kindness to keep helping the many desperate children, women and households escape poverty - access healthcare, education and the dignity that every human being rightfully deserves. I lack the status to confer a medal to you - but I have this blog. I dedicate it to you!

    
Those of you who still doubt the power of ‘African philanthropy’ can come look at me


Tuesday 8 October 2013

A ‘data revolution’ for elimination of poverty?


Inherent in the 2013 High Level Panel (HLP) report on the Post 2015 Development Agenda is the idea of a ‘data revolution’ that aims to draw on existing and new sources of data to infuse statistics into decision making[1]. The ultimate is to have information shape policy: to encourage open access to data, facilitate relevant analysis and to promote appropriate employment of accrued information to improve policy.

Too often, development efforts have been hampered by a lack of the most basic data about the social and economic circumstances in which people live. Stronger monitoring and evaluation at all levels, and in all processes of development [...] will help guide decision making, update priorities and ensure accountability. [...] We must also take advantage of new technologies and access to open data for all people.” ~ Bali Communiqué of the High-Level Panel, March 28, 2013
The conceptualisation of the ‘data revolution’, albeit not universally agreed on so far, leaves the connotation of an overhaul of the current system[2]. It implies empowering citizens (CSOs, media, government officers, ‘techies’, academicians and development partners within a data ecosystem) in a ‘fresh wave’ of data collection, analysis and use. It is a call for transparency and accountability[3]. It aims to ensure that information influences development policy; that data is utilized to evaluate the efficacy of policy and that data provides feedback loops for improvement of systems, institutions or policies. The question that lurks however is:

Will a ‘data revolution’ or its equivalent really lead to better policies and attainment of poverty eradication targets beyond 2015?
Clearly better data and improved evidence has proven to be able to facilitate better policy making. A data revolution, if conceptualised as so, would thus provide the factual basing for the review and improvement of policy to meet the demands of prevailing circumstances. However, there is also the risk of getting overly carried away with datasets and infographics, and losing focus on the structural issues that require to be addressed in order to improve policy and bolster poverty reduction. 

The real 'data revolution' will depend on the ability to collect and aggregate data, and to have as many people as possible collabortaing effectively around a distributed ecosystem of information[4]. Conversely, a non-revolution would be a kin to having just a 'select group of nerds or politicians knowing more about poor people and their problems'[5].
  • What should be the true understanding of a ‘data revolution’ in the context of poverty reduction?
  • What is the potential for a ‘data revolution’ to contribute to development and to the ending of poverty by 2030 and what could stop this from happening?
  • What role can different stakeholders in the data ecosystem play in promoting the ‘data revolution’?
  • What could best inform the design of a platform to drive the ‘data revolution’?