MKULIMA: Finally, farmers get their say at school event

Mashambani trading centre was a beehive of activity a week ago when the local school hosted its alumni from the city.

It was the prize-giving day at Mashambani Primary School and the head teacher had made substantial efforts to invite most of the former students, especially those in the city and diaspora.

The head teacher, Mr Munywoki, had been advised that those in the city would give better motivational talks, contribute something to the school’s development fund and since they drive sleek vehicles, many pupils would want to emulate them.

The beautiful Wandia, Dr Mike and my city friend Ndege, the guy who disappeared with our loan cash, made the list of invitees.

Surprisingly, I was not in the list, and as the head teacher later told me, farmers were not what they wanted the small boys and girls of Mashambani to become.

As usual, the menial jobs were given to local school leavers, who never made it beyond the village.

Initially, Wakageorge was to offer outside catering services after marketing himself as a hotelier, yet his Checkpoint Hotel has not gone past the chai, mandazi and kaimati menu. After a few meetings with the head teacher, he realised Check Point Hotel was incapable of holding an event of such a magnitude.

He finally settled on Mzalendo Caterers, a company that operates from the city. The head teacher gave me the role of supplying the caterer with farm produce and the goat to be offered to the guest of honour, a doctor.

THE DAY WAS BRIGHT

The day was bright, with the sun’s rays beaming on the school grounds. The pupils did not disappoint. They gave the best entertainment and displayed talents that attracted the guest to join them and handout some cash.

Incredible motivational messages targeting the pupils and community at large were later given by the guests, who included aspiring politicians that gave their manifestos highlighting how they will solve peoples’ problems.

We were almost coming to the end when Mzee Jeremiah interrupted the programme with the backing of the Mashambani people.

“Point of order Mwalimu!” Mzee Jeremiah yelled in his usual way, getting the attention of the head teacher who was the master of ceremony.

“What is it Mzee Jeremiah?” the head teacher asked seemingly shocked.

“All protocol observed,” Mzee Jeremiah started even before he could get hold of the microphone.

“I thank Mwalimu for this event. But I am asking why have local farmers not been given a chance to motivate students?” There was a round of applause.

“From the programme, I can see it’s only the visitors from the city who have been offered a chance to give speeches and award our pupils.”

“Does it mean that farmers are poor and uneducated that they cannot inspire pupils?” Mzee asked. 

SUCCESSFUL ROLE MODELS

“With all due respect, Mwalimu and our guests, please also give a chance to the successful role models from Mashambani village,” he continued as he got more backing from the people.

“We have Mkulima as one of the successful young men,” he said as people murmured in agreement.

“Mkulima is a well-educated farmer,” he began lauding me. I could see Wakageorge and Wekesa, the farm boy, grinning.

This was a rare show of support from Mzee Jeremiah – perhaps because I had bailed him from the police. He pushed for a speaker from the local community and quite interestingly, he thought I was the only one speak.

Mzee Jeremiah continued, “Mkulima has hosted local and international delegations on his mixed farm. He is the chairman of the best dairy cooperative in this region, which is fully digitised from milk collections to payments,” he continued as the villagers supported him to the shock of the high table guests.

“We have heard you Mzee,” the head teacher tried to cut him short. From where I was seated, I could see Mzee Kabeca struggling to cool him down without success.

“Farmers should be respected. They contribute a lot to this country,” Mzee Jeremiah’s lecture went on.

The head teacher had no choice but to hand me the microphone. Let me just say I did not disappoint farmers.