The recent fiasco in which a leading cultural group from
Taita-Taveta County failed to travel to Paris, France, to showcase our cultural
diversity is a big shame to the county government.
The reason given by the county government that there were no
funds to cater for travel and accommodation for the Gonda Yabara Isanga Group
is a stinking shame, given that hundreds of millions of shillings have been
used to cater for foreign trips for executive members and MCAs which hardly
bring any tangible benefits to our county and country in general.
The group, which has been a key entertainment troupe in
virtually every public function in the county, had a sterling performance in
Machakos, and earned a trophy and certificates, and qualified to perform at
this year’s Kenya Tourism Week, whose theme was “Driving Peace and Sustainable
Development through Culture”.
It is also imperative to point out that this is not the
first time the county government is frustrating our cultural ambassadors.
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In 2014, the same thing happened and the group could not
make it to France. In September 2008, Gonda was to represent Taita-Taveta in
Milan, Italy, during the Kenya Tourism Week, but the trip backfired as well.
Those responsible for budgeting for such events, both at the
county assembly and the executive levels, must put their act together to ensure
that cultural activities that have been okayed are showcased abroad.
