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Misango Arts on the campaigns for/against new constitution in Kenya

The role of the arts is holistically all embracing in addressing the current proposed constitutional debate in Kenya. Its uppermost function in the promotion of the YES VOTE CAMPAIGN is fundamentally informative, educative, entertaining, motivating, interactive and also participatory.

The arts accord vision, perspective and sense of mission in all aspects of human endeavours. In day existence it breathes new life through its creative genius. All arts aspects of arts are integral to the life of the traditional African communities giving worth to individuals and therefore reinforcing their identify. The arts provide a powerful means of healing, education communication expression. From the spiritual to mundane. The arts have profound bearing on all aspects of human life. Life, whose totality is, captured in the new proposed constitution of our nation, the constitution we want.

The constitutions we Kenya’s have yearned for decades. The constitution we want.

The constitution that promotes freedom of expressions, (Bill of rights - Rights and fundamental rights). As artistes, this is the reason why we urge our compatriots to vote YES in the forthcoming referendum in August this vote for change vote for posterity.

Arts, has since time immemorial been related to the sustainability of society in its various manifestation. Once in al life time, the new proposed constitution of Kenya will offer a long lasting life - line of Kenyans in diversity. Arts gives the youths opportunity to interact and thus helps in developing of their social skills - to understand the quite scene of good governance. In nutshell and good and all embracing constitution is what we want.

The YES VOTE wills guarantee continuity and development in diversity. It will offer a beacon of hope from adversity. It is the only path to unity healing and national cohesion.
The YES vote will assure Kenyans of new civil liberties, safeguarding our lives, liberty and property. It will be a great leap from the past iniquities: the rotten cultures of impunity, greed and corruption and tribalism. The new proposed constitution so to speak will also accord Kenyans with rate and ample opportunity to foster individuals assumers talents and human potential in each individual endeavours.

The YES Vote is a ticket to prosperity.

The YES vote will guarantee everyone with affordable quality health care, functional education, social welfare and social services. A new dawn with a promise of rosy things to come. The new constitution will also assure the youth with equal opportunity to actively participate fully in the affairs of our nation and also to partake off and enjoy the fruits of progress guaranteed under the proposed new constitution.

Artistry is very interesting, pleasurable, memorable, vivid and easy to understand a viable vehicle for the prevention of such good governance information on the new constitution to many people.
Lastly, arts will accord vision in the new constitution making in Kenya.
Artistes as opposed to politician see the new constitution beyond the mortal beings and therefore will use artistic genres to enhance the YES vote campaign in an exciting and provocative media.

Prof John Habsen of City University New York asserts that ‘NO’ constitution draft can anticipate all of the social, economic cultural and other changes that are to come. So a new constitution has to live and mature in changing society. In stating guiding principal, no constitution provides all answers on how to implement those principles’. The proposed new constitution provides all answers on how constitution was artistes believe a beacon of hope.

The chapter 4 - Bill of Rights - 40 (5) has the best and art - friendly clause - the promotion of innovation and creativity, particularly the protection of innovation and protection intellectual rights: these are copyright, trade mark and inventions.

Art touches the heart and the mind of the people potential in addressing and in communicating effectively the diverse, pertinent and development issues. This form of medium is not only immediate but also familiar to the grassroots community. It uses an exciting, provocative, stimulating but also proactive medium. It has been used for different purposes ranging from pedagogy, entertainment, criticism to socialization.

The artistes therefore should utilise various genres of arts in addressing the critical issues on why the new proposed constitution should be promoted and supported so that the YES VOTE campaign succeeds. New proposed constitution has elicited support from various quarters. A law scholar, Prof. Yash Pal Ghai - former chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission stated that “the proposed new constitution will address issues of social justice and enhance independence of judiciary among many other provisions that would improve governance and spur development at local level.”

Lastly, I would like to quote Prof Makau Mutua and he states that “the new proposed constitution contains everything and it is the most democratic constitution in the county’s history.” As artistes we should concur with the two legal scholars on the proposed Kenya’s constitution.

As Kenyan artistes we have a cardinal role to play and we must play it now or never. The artistes must “build and strengthen partnership and alliances in the promotion of human rights. Let’s use arts as a beacon of hope in the fight against culture of impurity.”

Arts as a social tool for empowerment should address and bridge governance gaps in Kenya. Lastly arts transcend mortal beings and also parochial vested Political interest. In conclusion in out will play central role arts a beacon of hope constitution making in Kenya.

Quest for New Constitution in Kenya: A Poem

GLOWS LIKE SUNSHINE IN KENYA

New proposed Kenya’s constitution
Glows like sunshine in Kenya
Amidst hurdles, confusion, tensions
And bombs.

Throbbing Kenya of a new hope
Hope for a better tomorrow
Hope for a Kenya we want
A new nation of civility
And of humans rights culture
As
Referendum date dawns in August 2010
New constitution is
Unstoppable like River Nile

VOTE YES
A dawn of spirit of unity
And national cohesion
Unity of purpose
Unity of 42 ethnic groups divided into units
For political manipulation and propaganda
And manipulated like puppets
VOTE YES

for
Kenya we are fighting for
Kenya we are maimed for
Kenya we are detained for
Kenya we are bombed for
Kenya we are yearning for
Kenya betrayed and auctioned
At the alter of greed and corruption
Auctioned by minority, super rich and their associates
Kenya fragmented into smaller tribal units.
Kenya of ‘kitu kidogo’ and miracle babies
Kenya of scandals and commission of inquiries Kenya

A nation recuperating from cancer
Cancer of social ills, manipulation, circus
And theatre of absurd
Of mid night media raid
Of constitutional clause mutilation
At Government Printers

VOTE YES
Vote Victory
For rights and fundamental rights.
New constitution glows like sunshine in Kenya
Like River Nile it is unstoppable

VOTE YES
For new salvation and democratization
A new dawn has dawned in Kenya again
A new constitution that throbs our hearts
With dignity, hope and vision

VOTE YES


Aketch Obat Masira
DIRECTOR - MISANGO ARTS ENSEMBLE
CHAIRMAN, LAKE VICTORIA BASIN FILM MAKERS GUILD (KENYA)
Email: obatmasira@yahoo.com.

The Lake Basin Jewel

The second issue of the Lake Basin Jewel will be out in December. Lake Basin Jewel is a newly founded magazine highlighting the beauty and the endowment of the Lake Victoria Basin. The magazine seeks to open up the Western Kenya tourist circuit and film making in the region. The two articles below will appear in the December issue:


THE CELL
By
CJ Odhiambo,
Department of Literature, Theatre and Film studies
Moi University


“SHIT….! I’ll repeat again. SHIT…. A hundred times.
SHIT… Yes… all of you. You are all shit. Policemen,
Professors, doctors, students, teachers, secretaries. All of you.
Shit… Shit… Shit…. He screamed at the top of her voice.

“Shut up! Bloody madman. Shut up that stinking mouth of
yours or I’ll shut it up for you”. The policemen at the counter
shouted back at the voice.

“Yes” the voice from inside shouted back. “I’m mad, and all that you’ve said and more that you’ve not said. But that does not make you in anyway a lesser shit.
“You good for nothing criminal stop your madness. When I come inside there, I promise you, you will regret why you have a mouth”. The policeman angrily shouted back once again, and continued with his work; taking down the details of our particulars.

The door opened and we were roughly pushed inside. The room was dark. It was stinking terribly. It was congested. There was hardly a space for some to stand on. Those who had been thrown in earlier refused to create space for us. We groped in the darkness. To get space, one had to fight real hard. We fought. In the end we got some space. Then calm returned.

There was complete silence. Silence in darkness. It was terrifying. Silence in darkness can be frightening. Then the voice disturbed the silence. He was singing. And like a plague, the singing spread throughout the room. It was harmonious. They must have rehearsed it. The song evoked memories of the revival meeting I used to attend as a child. And for once I felt a sense of security. The song was familiar. The song came to an abrupt end. Just as it had started. But the silence was short-lived. A voice boomed from where the singing had started. It was praying. Asking God to help those who sinned to overcome their sins. The inmates responded with intermittent “Amen”. The voice prayed. It was quite a powerful prayer. The voce prayed till the lights began penetrating the room through the ventilation holes.

And I knew it was morning. I could now see most of the rooms Quite well. Then I felt some warm liquid passing under my feet. The water was fighting for the little space in the room. I could not see where it was coming from. Finally the door of the room opened. Three policemen entered. They ordered us to squat down. Now I could clearly see the room. The floor was messy. Vomit, urine and shit struggling for space. On that floor.

Koook… Koook… Koook… Koook… The contact between the stick and human heads sounded. The policemen were knocking our heads. I later came to know that that was their idea of counting. The counting was repeated several times. And we received as many knocks. Then they left. And miraculously The room seemed to have become larger. I could now see the whole room. At one corner was a bucket. The contents of The bucket made me sick. Sick in the heart. Sick in the Stomach. Sick in the mouth.
I became sicker when the breakfast was announced. They brought for us porridge in the tins but I could not bring myself to take the porridge. Those who had been in the cells much longer took it with a lot of relish. They even went for second helping. As the other inmates were busy taking their porridge I saw one inmate walk towards the bucket. I thought he was going to pour the porridge. I was dead wrong.

When he reached the bucket, he unzipped his trousers, lowered his trousers and took a position above the bucket. At the same time he was taking a sip of the content in his tin. The other inmates went on with their own activities. Taking porridge. Oblivious of his act His act made me sicker.
“Makanga” I heard my name called from the direction of the door. “yes, Afande”. I shouted running towards the door. The door opened for me. I walked out. The air outside was refreshing. Then I saw him standing at the counter. He was smiling. I could not return the smiles. I was given back my shoes, belt and jacket. “You are free” I could not get words to thank him. So I mumbled some incomprehensive sounds as I put on my shoes. Then I hurried direct to his car. He drove me to my place. All through the journey we did not talk about my experience. I think he understood I wanted to forget about this experience as fast as possible. Indeed. I wanted





PEGGY
By
CJ Odhiambo,
Department of Literature, Theatre and Film studies
Moi University

Peggy was her name. The only one that we knew. She must have had other name [which, however we did not know.] But Peggy was enough. We did not need to know any other name. Peggy. Peggy was always alone. But she seemed not to be bothered by her loneliness. Peggy was always a hot topic in the local pub. The only pub in Mambo Yote Estate. Men would meet for a drink. The whole evening the only subject of their discussion would nothing but Peggy. Every one in the sitting would offer his own
imaginative construction of Peggy. Only through the power of the imagination could they capture in totality this creation that God whole heartedly spend his imagination and aesthetic skills for her in formulation. In their imagination constructions they tabulated the things that give a chance they would have done with Peggy. Peggy lodged herself deeply into their masculine imaginations. Only in their imagination. But not for Odima Nyadima. The son of the lakeshore.

Odima Nyadima. That was his name. As the men satisfied the figments of their fecund imaginations, Odima Nyadima made up his mind that Peggy would never again be just the subject of his imagination but more than that. He wanted to transpose Peggy from his imagination in his physical life. As the other men passionately constructed Peggy Odima kept mute. He was no longer going to be part of this fantasy. He wanted Peggy. Not a construction of Peggy.

Odima Nyadima was a proud man. A real man from the lake land. Where they say that a bull dies with the grass in its mouth. Odima Nyadima wanted to taste the grass that others could only chew with in the figments of their imaginations. Odima Nyadima was very affluent. He had made real money from his satellite of business sited in every province headquarters of the country. Because of his vast wealth Odima Nyadima strongly believed that his arm was long enough and with a slight stretch he could get what he wanted to get. With the stretch of his arm he felt that he would remove Peggy from the location in his imagination to a place more nearer to him.

Odima Nyadima stopped visiting the local pub. He did not want to engage in fantasy any more. He did not want the other men’s imaginative reconstruction of Peggy to interfere with his own plans. He already saw himself much more way ahead of them. He was no longer a dreamer. He was a doer. And he wanted to give the idle dreamers as he now saw them a shock of their lives. He would narrate to them his expeditions with Peggy with relish. He would never leave out even the minutest details of the encounter. He would shame them. And forever they would know he was a real bull. The thoughts passed through his mind and already he felt as if he has already achieved what he had set out as his main objective. He smiled. And smiled again. The smile of victory. Victory over imagination. Victory over other men. Victory over a woman. Then. He came back to his senses. Peggy had gone back to the safety of his imagination. No. He had to get her out of the imagination. Immediately.

One night as Odima Nyadima drove home to one of his wives, he remembered the heroes of his tribe. Gor Mahia. Lwanda Magere. Obondo Mumbo. Jaramogi Odinga. And himself at the bottom of the line. And this should be sooner than later. But. Only but if he conquered Peggy. The lady with only one name. “Oh Peggy” he muttered to himself. And as he drove home he thought of nothing but Peggy. By the time he reached home he did not even want to see Nungo Duong his latest wife.

All his mind and heart was reserved for Peggy. He slept that night as if Nungo Duong was none existence. All night long the only thing he thought of was how he was going to confront Peggy.

It just came to him like a dream. The bus stage. Yes. He would offer her a lift in his brand new BMW. He looked at his watch. But it was morning yet. And he longed for the morning. He wanted to give Peggy a lift. She would be definitely at the stage waiting for bus to work. He longed for the day to open its doors so that he could see Peggy. Then finally the day opened its doors. And Odima Nyadima hurriedly prepared to leave for work. This morning he did not even wait for breakfast. Nungo Duong could only be perplexed with her husband. He was not the same man who convinced her to become the third wife. But what could she do if a man did not want to have anything? That was his problem.

Odima Nyadima drove slowly to the bus stage expecting to see Peggy. But she was not there. “But she is always here at this time”. He said to himself. He drove on but turned at the next street to check if she had come by now. Peggy was not there. Disappointed he drove to his place of work. The whole day he could not work.
His mind was preoccupied with the image of Peggy. He was determined to get his name in the list of his tribe’s heroes. For the whole week he looked across the bus stage but Peggy was nowhere to be seen.

Odima Nyadima was just about to lose hope. Then. One evening it was raining seriously. In front of Odima Nyadima was a figure struggling to get away from the madness of this rain. Uncharacteristically Odima Nyadima stopped to help this creature being pounded by the vagaries of nature. His heart nearly jumped out of mouth. Who was this? He could not believe it. He could only mutter the words “get into the car”. And she did. She was drenched and shivering. Odima removed his jacket and handed it over to her "Cover yourself” he said.” Thanks.” She answered back with chattering teeth.

Thoughts. Thoughts. Passed traversed his mind. He wanted to tell her something but he could not find the words. And he began to hate himself. All this time. And yet now he could not say a word to express his longing. When he tried saying anything he ended up only breathing hard. And the only comment she could make was is something wrong.”
"No." And he hated himself for that too.” I will come out here,” She announced. “Oh”. He said. And opened the door for her. “Thank you”. She said. “Not at all.” He said. And that is the moment that he gathered courage and asked if she could spare an evening for a drink. She agreed. Friday. But this was just Monday. Odima Nyadima waited for the Friday. He checked the calendar every day to make sure that he did not miss on this date.

Nungo Duong a wanted to know what was so special about this particular Friday that the husband had marked with a red pen on all the calendars in the house and office. But he could not oblige to tell her the secret. How? Friday. The Friday came. Odima Nyadima woke up early than usual. The dater would be late in the evening. He went to the office and informed his secretary that he was not going to be in the office the whole day. And he left and headed for the hotel where they had agreed to meet. It was only three in the afternoon. He was expecting Peggy not early than six O’clock. He didn’t want to make any mistake. He waited. Any time he heard light touching footsteps he thought it was Peggy. And his heart skipped a bit. He wanted her to come and yet he did not know what he wanted to tell her?

Finally. Peggy. His heart skipped. She was. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Such beauty he had not seen for long. He lost words. He could only mutter some incoherent sounds. Which she took as an invitation. Then the food. Then drinks. Then more drinks. Then words. Sweet words from both mouths. Sweet words. And more sweet words. Then. Into the room. It was a room. Odima must have paid for it with a fortune. In no time Odima Nyadima had parodied Adam. No leaves or anything to cover God’s imagination. Then he slipped under the warm sheets waiting for her to follow. She followed. But she was not Adam’s Eve. She was fully dressed. “Why? He asked. “I am seeing my moon”. She answered as a matter of fact.” What do you mean seeing your moon?” He stammered. “I am on my periods”. She announced. He kept quite. Then he asked slowly pronouncing each syllable, Which periods are these you are having/ Then she answered now laughing. “Menstrual”

That was it. A real man of the lake, of the stature of Gor Mahia, Lwanda Magere, Obondo Mumbo, and Jaramogi Odinga could not conceive himself joined to such filth. Disgusted, Odima Nyadima jumped out of the bed and into his clothes. He banged the door behind him.

Lake Victoria Basin: The new hub of film-making in Kenya

By Aketch Obat Masira

1.0 INTRODUCTION

A film story is about desire and danger. It begins when the central character commits himself to attaining the story goal in the face of opposition. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to analyze why film making has not taken root in the Lake Victoria Basin despite its huge filming potential and tourism attractions. The paper therefore, attempts to highlight the challenges in the film making industry in the region and therefore proposed strategies that could address the vacuum. The region is uniquely endowed with great sceneries, heritages and monuments that could make film making in the region interesting, great and memorable. These endowments have great potential in tourism promotion of the western Kenya tourist circuit.

2.0 THE FILMING TECHNIQUES AND PRODUCTIONS

I here would like to quote one of the great script writers in the World Moran, and he asserts that “Films exist as an economic and cultural good before it ‘can’ be considered as an industry. In this duality, the cultural good passes through industrial supply and demand- thus production, distribution and consumption.” Film is a unique work. Its uniqueness is that it has the greatest potential to bring pleasure and people together by creating space for fun and escapism for people. Film mirrors people’s lifestyles. As people watch the screens, they laugh at their follies and therefore make the necessary adjustments in their lifestyles vis-à-vis the characters in the screen. It promotes social transformation.

3.0 INTEREST IN FILM MAKING IN THE REGION

In the recent past a new consciousness as dawned in the region in the world of film making. The region seemingly is not ready to play the second fiddle in the world of film making. A number of script writers, actors, directors and production team have emerged to fill the void. They have started telling their stories in different ways. I think this interest should be sustained by various players particularly the donor agencies to enable quality film making to be rooted in the region.
The players seek to make the Lake Victoria Basin the new hub of film making in the country. The region is also blessed with various universities offering degree courses in film making. These institutions could go a long way in enhancing professionalism and quality productions to promote excellence in the film industry.

4.0 THE CHALLENGES OF FILM MAKING IN THE REGION

The drive of desire is the life’s blood of every film. And the danger is its heartbeat. The main challenge we face as film makers in the region is basically lack of technical aspect of film production. Most of our film makers hardly use the essential techniques of making the flow of tension stimulating and pleasurable. It is in the technical aspect where we score very lowly. We still find it difficult to develop the use of desire and danger to enable us manipulate tension in our viewers.

Again, scripting is basically wanting and predictable. We hardly explore various techniques to bring in various story elements for aesthetic value i.e. how do we treat our characters and their characteristics, their relationships and reactions. Are all these elements well developed? Secondly, how do we handle situations in our scripts, particularly in which characters find themselves in? Another shortcoming we have the handling of the setting and the mood. In scripting, we should find techniques in building emotional pertinence in shooting script to create the reaction we are seeking in our audience. We need to develop a technique that would hold our viewers to the screen particularly the use of hook and emphasis. Emphasis is the details we want to draw the attention to. Our major handicapped is lack of broadcast quality equipments (cameras/editing machines) and lastly funding to offset production costs.

5.0 THE WAY FORWARD IN MAKING THE REGION THE HUB OF FILMING

There is urgent need for film makers in the region to work together to promote synergy in the industry. We should avoid mediocrity and short term monetary gains in the name of film making that hardly go beyond our estates and friendship fraternity. Art should not be compromised because of lack of equipments or short term gain.

Training
Training is paramount if we want to achieve success in the industry; it is the training that is going to empower our film makers with the necessary skills to enable us to compete with others outside the region. I here suggest some strategies for the way forward.
· Film exchange program so as to learn from others.
· Annual regional film festival (cash awards for winners).
· To promote quality scripting through script writing contest.
· To patent the works of film makers in the region (and pay royalties to artistes and producers).
· To promote the region as the new tourism and filming destinations.
· To develop the film Guild as the agent for film makers in the region to reduce exploitation of the film makers and promote the welfare of artistes and producers.
· To host regional, national and international film workshop for the players in the region (capacity building).
· To acquire broadcast quality equipments.
· To liaise with foreign film makers on behalf of film makers in the region.

6.0 THE ROLE OF CHILDREN IN FILM MAKING

Art has, since time in memorial, been related to sustainability of society in its various manifestations. Children feel encouraged and recognized when they are given roles to play in a production (Drama/ Film). It does make them feel that they, too like everybody else, can have a role to play in the society. This makes the children wanted whichever type of background and condition they came from. This sort of empowerment is significant in development. Artistry is a very interesting, pleasurable, memorable, vivid and easy to understand.

It is also a great vehicle for the presentation of vital development information. Art enables youth to build good habits for effective living as an individual and as a member of a group.

We in the Guild seek to empower the child and the youth in coming up with effective things and film participating from their perspectives. That is the only way we as adults could bequeath film making among our children in Lake Victoria Basin.

7.0 THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE REGION TO BE THE NEW HUB OF FILM MAKING IN KENYA

The justification for the Lake Victoria Basin as the new hub of film making in Kenya is self evident. The region has produced some of the greatest, interest and memorable artistes in Kenya. The history of the Kenya cultural development has been decorated by great talents in various cultural spheres from the region.

Unfortunately, such talents have emerged spontaneously and without organized local support, some of the best talents in the region have been “forced” to retire early into oblivion after a short period of success, this has led to the falling cultural standards. This, has moreover increased enhance of foreign cultural products, some of which have actually borrowed from the regions cultural potentials.

8.0 THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN FILM MAKERS GUILD

The Name of the community based organization Lake Victoria basin film makers’ guild (Kenya) (in this constitution referred to as Umbrella body for upcoming and new musicians, film writers, editors, actors and directors’ based in Western Kenya).

8.1 OBJECTIVES

The objects of the organization are as follows
a) To educate inform and entertain the public through quality scripts, productions and professional acting.
b) To facilitate the training of stakeholders in the film industry and equip them with professional skills in the scripting and production of film.
c) To act as patent and royalty agents for film makers in the region.
d) To act as an arbitrator between the various stakeholders in the film industry within the region.
e) To act as a link between the film makers from the region and both National and International film makers or relevant institutions.
f) To be a channel for the promotion and marketing and distribution of films from the region.
g) To identify preserve and promote filming sites within the region.

8.2 VISION AND MISSION

I) Vision: To make the lake region a center of excellence in film making.
ii) Mission: To produce competent professionals capable of producing films that match international standards.

The Lake Victoria Basin Film-Makers Guild was founded at the end of a 2 day film workshop organized by the US Embassy and in collaboration with the Kenya Film commission at Kisumu Area Library as an umbrella body to promote and protect film makers in the Lake Victoria Basin (Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western Provinces)

The Guild will be a means of sensitizing and promoting the filming potentiality of the region, our values and stories. It will also be a forum for regional professional exchange of ideas, styles, knowledge, and experiences in film making to enable the region to be the hub of film making. The Guild will rekindle the regions creativity.

The Guild will provide the organizational framework that will “market” the film producers is the region. It’s hoped that in the process the various fields of artistic and film productions will attract the most talented in the region and therefore, increase financial viability of artistic and filming endeavors. It’s our firm conviction that only a self sustaining artistic endeavor’s can promote cultural film making in the region to enable it become the new hub of film making in Kenya.
The Guild will expose and popularize the region as the new film tourism destinations. It will also assist in the patenting of the rights of its members and provide loyalties annually.

This is because it has been realized that other film makers have been taking advantage of the local artistes and film makers. The region has abundant talent, limited exposure; poor marketing strategies and elected factors have reduced our artistes and film makers to marginal position in the society. The Guild seeks to reverse this trend.

The various arts and film making in the region are therefore, in the process of decline because they have been relegated to the position of unprofitable enterprises. Its therefore, the intension of the Guild to invigorate film making though skills development, quality production, distribution and promotion of film making among children and youths in the region and lastly to increase the public’s interest and consciousness of arts in general and particularly in film production.

9.0 MY EXPERIENCE AS A LOCAL FILM MAKING

The film industry in the region can be vibrant if natured well. There has been interference of film makers from other regions. They have been interfering with the region’s industry for it would rob them of easy “prey” local artists, who feature in their films are paid peanuts and no clear terms and conditions & no signing of contracts.

Our first feature film NO RETREAT also suffered at the hands of these films makers who believe the production was going to be an obstacle in their waters. Through external interference we were only able to finalize only 50% of the production. We still intend to get partners to assist in the finalization of it.

The Misango Arts Ensemble writes quality film scripts. We already have three- “NO RETREAT” ‘MISANGO OKONYO LOLWE’ SACRIFICE SAVES LAKE VICTORIA and ‘TEARS OF MUD FISH’ all by Oloo Nyamwaya, our main script writer. At this juncture, I would like to share insight into some of our stories-1

SYNOPSIS- “NO RETREAT”

This story, NO RETREAT, examines how two typical Kenyan urban families grappled with problems posed by HIV/AIDs Scourge.

Lead Character (LIZA) young gender conscious and forward looking wife in Kisumu discovers that her husband, OCHOLA, has been having an affair behind her back. Upset by this betrayal and fearful of the prospect of contracting AIDS, she deserts her matrimonial home, taking a twelve year old daughter LINDA with her, she immediately begins divorce proceedings. Unknown to her, her friend and neighbor ATOTI, is a lady who has been having an affair with her husband.

Matters take interesting turn when ATOTI’s own husband, JOE, a medical doctor by profession tests Positive. In her solitude, LIZA first seeks refuge in ATOTI’s but finding ATOTI beset by too many problems of her own, she turns to MARION, an old friend and a colleague. With time, as she tries to deal with her suicidal husband, ATOTI discovers that she too is HIV Positive, unlike her husband; she assumes a stoical attitude about it.

In the mean time, LIZA, finds another love in MOSES, a born again Christian. A brief period of courtship leads to a proposal of marriage. Will LIZA find happiness in her new relationship? Or has HIV/AIDS made far reaching in-road into her life and those surrounding her to extent that it is now meaningless to harbour any hopes in life? Will she discover that a long time friend, ATOTI is the one who has been having an affair with her husband? Will she succeed in preventing her daughter LINDA, from demanding to be reunited with her father?

The film poses critical and pertinent issues affecting spouses, for it mirrors true life situations in various homes in the region and beyond. These are the untold stories that should be told. The NO RETREAT Script uses various technical aspects of filming (desire, danger, plot twists, conflicts, suspense, tension, mood, emphasis and the hook) to hold the attention and interest of the viewers.

THE CONCLUSION

Its gladdening to realize that various film players have emerged within the Lake Basin, working out on quality entertainment and educative films, if well supported would go a long way in making the region the hub of film making.

The main challenges we face is lack of broadcast quality equipments that could not compromise the sound and the picture, for film is about sound and picture. The art of film making should also be introduced to children so that they could be able to tell their stories for themselves by themselves. This is the best way to sustain the film industry in the region.

The region boasts of unique and memorable sites that should be promoted to enhance quality film production in terms of sceneries and locations. We the film makers in the region should take advantage of God given endowments.

The Lake Victoria Basin film Guild should be supported by well wishers who are interested in making the region the hub of film making in Kenya. Thank you the Kenya National Library Services. Thank you the US Embassy for creating the American corner in Kisumu. This is going to be the greatest resource in transforming the region that has been marginalized for many years because of parochial politics.

Presented During the World Literacy Day Celebration at the Kisumu Area Library
Theme: Learners’ Week
Date: 4th September 2009

BY AKECH OBAT MASIRA
CONVENER
THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN FILM MAKERS GUILD
Website: http//misangoarts.blogspot.com
Email: obatmasira@yahoo.com
Mobile: +254 726 164 954

Tourism in Western Kenya...

NATURE’S WONDERLAND

Kenya has for long been a world leader in Eco-tourism. Accordingly, the Kenya Government’s stated policy is to conserve wildlife for posterity while giving due regard to human interest. This policy translated very well into encouraging self sustaining tourism that does not degrade the environment while at the same time reducing conflict between local communities and wildlife. It is not surprising therefore that Kenya is one of a few destinations that: give visitors a veritable spectacle of wildlife that is co-existing harmoniously with its human neighbors.

Wildlife in Kenya is not only precious natural heritage but it also makes Kenya the ultimate destination of unlimited adventure. Great names such as Sir. Winston Churchill. Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway lived with lasting memories of land vivid contrasts, with open wide spaces, snow capped mountains on the Equator, vast rolling plains teeming with wildlife that was and still is awe inspiring and can not be rivalled anywhere else in the world. Their undying memories of this nature’s wonderland still hold true today. The visits by the luminaries of yester years as well as Royalty have given the seal of approval of Kenyans claim as Nature’s wonderland and the home of “Safari” which is a Kiswahili word meaning “journeys”.

Ever since the arrival in Kenya of the Late American President, Theodore Roosevelt in 1909 on an expedition to collect natural history specimens for American Museums, world interests on Kenya as nature’s wonderland was enhanced. By then, photography was not the objective of the safaris since big game hunting was the major pursuit. Today, bagging the big five or any other type of game is done by camera hunting was banned in 1978 in line with Kenya’s Wildlife conservation and management policy.

A well designed and efficient grid of infrastructure links the National parks and Game reserves with Nairobi and Mombasa. There are superb accommodation facilitates in Kenya’s game sanctuaries. Kenya’s priceless treasury of wildlife owes it very its very existence to contrasts in the country’s terrain, which ranges from rugged snow peak covered peaks of Mount Kenya, the highlands, the Savannah, Great Rift Valley and its Lakes as well as the summering sands of the coast. Each of these geographical regions is home to different types of wildlife that are unique to each area.

For ornithologists, Kenya has an amazing wealth of birdlife. More than one thousand bird species have been recorded in vast variety of habitats in Kenya. This huge variety is due to lack of extreme variation in climate. Kenya also gets her share of migratory birds. It has been estimates that as many as six millions birds migrate to Kenya during the Northern Hemisphere winter. The combination of these migrants together with a thousand odd local species makes a Kenya a truly ornithological paradise.

Kenya has 59 National parks, Game reserves, Marine National parks and Reserve which account for approximately eleven percent(11%) of Kenya’s surface area. Proper management of the game sanctuaries is the hall mark of the country’s conservation measures and commitment to eco-tourism.

There are seven designated major tourist circuits as well as seven other minor circuits. Each circuit is made up f a number of National parks and Game Reserves and is home to wild life that is particular habitat.

PEOPLE CULTURE

Kenya has colorful mixture of peoples as well as a cocktail of cultures. The current population of about thirty million is made up to cover forty ethnic groups.

However, the Nilotes, Bantus and Cushites form the bulk of the population. The minority, Asians, Arabs, and Europeans live mainly in urban centres. The ethnic diversity has produced a harmonious mixture of people with rich culture heritage.

The national language, Kiswahili is widely spoken by most Kenyan. English is the official language as such it is spoken at all levels. Besides English, French, German and Italian are also spoken in the tourist Industry, The rich culture heritage and diversity of people is expressed through songs, dance, art and handicraft which are truly unique and embodied all the entrancement of exotic Africa. To listen to the music or watch various festival and ceremonies of any of the ethnic groups is a thrilling and unforgettable experience.Visitors are able to sample some of these ethnic festivities and ceremonies at Bomas of Kenya, one of the cultures centres which is only 8 KM from the commercial Centre of Nairobi.

WESTERN KENYA TOURIST CIRCUIT

The city of Nairobi is also the main safari base for the Western Kenya Tourist circuit This circuit includes Mt. Longonot National parks, Lake Nakuru National Park, Ruma National Park, Ndere Island, Kisumu Impala Park and the world famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Transmara through Kisii Hills Ranges and Valley bottoms to Migori traversing huge sugar plantation with Awendo as factory site.

From Migori to Muhuru Bay with beautiful beaches comprising the famous Got Kwer, the origin and home of Legio Maria religious sect.

From here you visit the oldest goldmine in Nyanza Province at macalder Mine and visit home of Williamson Goldmine then move on to the Karungu Bay with its rectangular site of the gulf. At Nyandiwa in Owasi the home of historical Nyamgondho wuod Ombare with animals and birds bests impressed on the stones along the Lake shores
Lambwe Valley (Now called Ruma National Park) provides a sight of its own with hill formation, swing of Kanyamwa escarpment and Kaksingiri, Gembe and Ruma Hills. A tourist resort at Magunga would be a viable proposition.

Mbita point and Rusinga Island contains the grave of the famous Joseph Mboya- flamboyant politician Kenya has ever produced. Deplorable still is the grave of the miraculous Gor Kogalo the old legendry.

Other interesting sites on this route include Simbi Nyaima, Nyabondo plateau, bird sanctuary in Kano Plains and a crocodile Farm near Homa Lime, the old and famous Kit Mikayi in Seme, Ndere Island animals sanctuary and Koru Cave, you also visits on this route Maseno “Oseni tree” (the origin of economic, educational and social development.). The area extends to cover Usege beach at the lake shore and then pushes on to Osieko Village.

The circuit includes some of the most captivating sights in Kenya as wellas the landscape ranges from tropical forest, the savannah to arid and semi-desert. The circuit broadly comprises,Nyanza and Western Provinces and large part of Rift Valley. Kakamega forests, Mt Elgon, Saiwo Swamp, South Turkana, Kerio Valley and Lake Bogoria.

TAKAWIRI ISLAND

A Lake resort where tropical delights and acute bounty meet. Takawiri Island is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt Island on Lake Victoria. Not only is the Lake the source of River Nile, but it is also the second largest fresh water lake in the world, making it the fishermen’s idea of pure heaven. While sandy beaches stretch into unspoilt natural landscape, a heaven for hippos, otters and a vast array of birdlife.

Snorkeling, swimming, windsurfing or sailing, will satisfy the super active, and for more relaxed there is a beach bars, a chance to visit the fascinating archeological site of Dr. Mary Leakey or just leisurely tour of the neighboring Islands.

A paradise Island way from it all, the luxury chalestyle accommodation offers comfort and privacy of for selected clientele. All rooms have solar powered hot water in private bathrooms.

Large ‘bands’ house the recreation area, bar and restaurant where sumptuous meals are served with breathtaking Lake View. Facing west, you can enjoy you tropical sundowner with magnificent view of pink and gold tins of a Lake Victoria sunset as fish eagles and Egyptians geese fly home roost

Drive to Kisumu and then take Takawiri’s own luxury cruiser to the Island or fly direct to Mfangano. A special excitement fills the air. It’s an experiencing you will not forget.

MT. ELGON& KERIO VALLEY RESERVE & SAIWA NATIONAL PARK

Mount Elgon lies at an altitude of about 2,500 m -4,200 m and is about four hundred and seventy kilometers from Nairobi. Mount Elgon National Park is one of the most beautiful truly wild and intact sanctuaries game viewing is excellent. The park provides a home to over four hundred elephants as well as Buffaloes, protected Colobus and blue monkeys, giant forest hog and other types of antelopes. Over two hundred and forty species of birds have been recorded there. There are four fascinating and explorable caves which are popular meeting places for elephants.” This is where you can see elephants that have been dubbed “underground elephants”. There is a lodge, two hotels, three campsite as well as on picnic site. Kerio Valley is another interesting place to visit on this circuit as it is biodiversity area. Its depth of about 1,229 is truly awe striking. Saiwa swamp National park was opened to provide a home to the rare se-aquatics sitatunga antelope.


DREAMCAMP MAASAI MARA.

A safari adventure you’ll never forget. Have you dreamt of encountering Africa at its most exciting, its most beautiful and its most exotic? The endless rolling Savannah, the spectacular wildlife and the rich nomad cultures? If so you should consider paying a visit to DREAMCAMP MAASAI MARA.

To be continued in the next issue in December 2009.

By,

Dr. J.G.C AMOLLO.
(Deceased)
Past Chair
Western Kenya Tourism Association
Kisumu
2003.