Professor Nyariki Otoyota, who is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota and the president and founder of Gusii Community Network (GUCONET), has called upon the region leaders to be accountable in their delivery of services.
Speaking at Kisii University where he delivered a public lecture on Friday 3rd entitled 'Partnerships for Community Empowerment, Prof Nyariki told the community to stop blaming education system as it has little or nothing to do with her predicaments.
“Education system in Kenya is good but we have a leadership problem and we have to acknowledge that,” he said.
He urged the youth to hold the county government accountable so as to steer development.
Nyariki further observed that Gusii is considered as one of the most economically successful tribes in Kenya alongside the Kikuyus. However, the community is lagging in a number of areas: education, health, manufacturing among others.
A case in point in health is that HIV/AIDs and Diabetes are prevalent in Gusii. Additionally, Gusii is no longer excelling in education and sports as it used to.
He blamed this on poor governance and lack of civic education and called upon the youth to elect competent people, who have good ideas for the development of the community.
A group of Gusii professionals came together to form a non-partisan accord intended to empower the Gusii community to address some of their urgent needs. The aim is to exploit the untapped potential within the community including significant Gusii diaspora remittance to Kenya that runs in millions of dollars and the available diverse professional expertise.
Gusii Community Network was thus born.
“It is not just an organisation but a movement,” he added.
The focus of GUCONET is youth and women empowerment, education and training, culture, sports and recreation, civic education and much more.
He said that since its inception, GUCONET has helped schools get books in Gusii regions and they are currently seeking partnership with Kisii University to ensure that they reach the community through the youths in the university.