What Naivasha's bond with nature, enguinity can teach other regions

A tourist cycles as giraffes cross a dirt road on the outskirts of Lake Naivasha. [Elvis Ogina,Standard]

One, the land has been subdivided into small uneconomical pieces.

A visit to the large irrigated farms in Naivasha begs the question. Should we have chopped all the mzungu farms after Uhuru? Today, it's paradoxical that the owners of these small farms now find work in the few remaining large farms.

Two, rain is seasonal and cold makes the growing season longer. That would reduce the profits. You would plant fewer times per year.

Distinct advantage

The arid and semi-arid lands have another distinct advantage: There is little competition from other farmers.

Who really wants to be a farmer in dry Naivasha? The same argument can be extended to large ranches in Laikipia. The farms in such arid conditions and places demand lots of capital.

That reduces competition further. Water for irrigation is expensive, add the power for pumping.

The technology used from greenhouses to irrigation or biotechnology leaves them with few competitors.

Even the soil must be persuaded to become productive. Compare that with deep volcanic soil in the highlands.

The farms also focus on premium products such as herbs. They are food items that are unlikely to be grown by ordinary people. Think of it - should peasants grow flowers, herbs or foodstuffs? Back to nature's graciousness.

While consumed by pessimism, do we realise that Kenya is among the top countries in generating clean energy from geothermal? We now have about 90 per cent of our energy coming from renewable sources.

Yet we have no time to celebrate. One reason is the belief that our power is expensive. Some truth in that considering that the power produced is above the peak demand.

Economic laws demand that prices should go down. This sector has too many vested interests. Recall that owners of independent power producers (IPPs) could not be named? Visiting a power station at Olkaria makes me wonder how many other such opportunities we have not exploited in Kenya while hypnotised by politicians.

A geothermal spring next to a manyatta in Olkaria, Naivasha. [File, Standard]

If nature is so fair and gracious, why is there such a big difference in economic growth between counties, countries and regions? Nature's endowment must be supplemented by our ingenuity. If we do not do that, some regions sprint ahead of others.

Why did Japan become a car manufacturer without iron? How did Italy become a brand in shoes without herds of cattle? Water or steam around Lake Naivasha could lie idle. It needed some ingenious men and women to put it to use beyond fishing and drinking water. It needed some ingenuity to harness the steam from the bowels of the earth, just like nuclear reactors.

Nature can be gracious but our ingenuity must be put into use. Why do we starve with 536km of of coastline? Why do we drive from Mombasa to Lamu along the coast? Naivasha, now famous for weekend escapades is better known for combining nature's graciousness and our ingenuities.

Why do we drive around this lake? Why no luxury boats?

One big lesson from Naivasha is how the market has worked. Most of the success cases in Naivasha are private initiatives. Why are flowers not embroiled in cases like maize?

Clearly, if let the invisible hand of the market do its work, we shall be surprised. The government should be like a lever helping the invisible hand of the market do more.

It should not be like the harness of the horse. Will Kenya Kwanza, like the Mwai Kibaki regime let economic freedom ring?

What have the other regions done? What can they do? There is no region untouched by nature's graciousness. Every region has its share of ingenuous people.

Why should we head to Mombasa for holiday when Lake Victoria (Lolwe) is there, much nearer and from my recent visit, more beautiful and affordable? What is missing in most regions is marrying nature's graciousness with ingenuity.

Naivasha has done that, attracting even non-Kenyans. Why can't other regions do the same?

This requires schooling and accepting that outsiders see opportunities better than locals. Why else is immigration celebrated? Can other counties learn from Naivasha? Think of Naivasha after the dual carriage road reaches there. Been 'Vasharing' lately?