Friends/Colleagues, On recent comments on the role of government, I have this to say: I think it should be an enabler through creation and enforcement (regulation) of policies intended towards desired outcomes. We also need good laws, a sound justice system (fair and speedy) to deal with disputes; the people need to be aware of their roles, rights and the need to challenge their potential. Recently I was asked to address youth in my Nyamira home. My speech (click on this link) focused on empowerment and harnessing the collective potential. And that as much as government has been a jobs provider in the past, it cannot meaningfully be everyone's employer! ---- On the topic of examination dropouts, there is a serious need to focus on this lot. Our education system has this "pass points" at which the majority fall off and the system forgets about them. The need for tertiary training has never been greater - more village polytechnics, more mid-level colleges (polytechnics) and then universities. Past instances of gutting polytechnics to give way for universities have done great injustice to the education system and many young people in the country. ----- Finally, on the issue of roads and accidents; looks like we take a step forward and several back. I re-read an essay I wrote back in the 1990s and was surprised how many things remain the same! Driver and public transporter owner education is paramount! This is especually so with respect to fatigue. Drivers in Kenya don't get enough rest before embarking on the next trip; and because the owner would like to maximize gains. Happy New 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama@aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.