Skip to main content

A Symphony Gone

 In the heart of Vihiga County, a tale unfolds,

Of a river once vibrant, but now burdened by woes.

I stand here as a youth, with sorrow in my eyes,

Witnessing the degradation that fills me with sighs.


Once, the River Ezava flowed with pure delight,

Teeming with life, a symphony of colors in sight.

But now, it weeps silently, its spirit fading away,

As unregulated mining and farming take their sway.

The land once rich, with biodiversity so vast,

Has succumbed to greed, disappearing too fast.

Youth and women, united we stand,

To restore what's been lost, to heal this wounded land.


We gather our strength, our voices we raise,

Calling for change, to reverse this dismaying phase.

With determination and resilience, we'll fight,

To bring back the glory, to make things right.


We plant seeds of hope, in every young heart,

Educating, empowering, ready to impart,

The knowledge and passion, to protect and restore,

Riparian land, a legacy worth fighting for.


With shovels in hand and sweat on our brow,

We'll reclaim the riverbank, starting from now.

Together we'll heal, step by step, day by day,

Breathing life into the land, in our own humble way.


We'll build bridges of collaboration, young and old,

Guided by wisdom and stories yet untold.

For the river's survival, we'll form a united band,

Youth and women, guardians of this sacred land.


Through perseverance and love, we'll mend what's been torn,

Embracing the challenge, as a new era is born.

With every tree planted and every creature saved,

We'll bring back the beauty, to the land we have craved.


Let this tale be a reminder, a call to all,

To protect riparian land, before the final fall.

With unity and dedication, we'll face this test,

Restoring Ezava's glory, ensuring it's at its best.


For our youth and women, a future we'll create,

Where biodiversity thrives, and hope will permeate.

Let's embark on this journey, hand in hand,

To restore, protect, and conserve our sacred land.


(c) Forezava Foundation 

FOLLOW US 

FACEBOOK TWITTER TIKTOK YOUTUBE

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

When Good Intentions Fall Short: Reflections on Climate Resilience Projects in Vihiga

This week has been a whirlwind in Vihiga County. The Governor has been on the move, launching project after project—each meant to signal progress, resilience, and commitment to improving the lives of residents. On the surface, it feels like the county is on a steady path toward climate resilience and development. Bridges, irrigation schemes, and water projects are being unveiled with great promise. Take the Mutave–Jepses bridge in Hamisi, for instance. For years, residents have endured untold suffering trying to cross this dangerous spot that links Tambua Ward to Kisumu and Nandi Counties. Many lives have been lost there. Redeveloping it is a commendable step forward, yet questions linger. The cost—12 million shillings—has sparked debate, especially given that the structure resembles more of a box-culvert than a durable bridge with strong guard rails. Was it truly value for money, or another example of cutting corners where safety should be paramount? Credits: County Government of Vih...

Devolution Con: Vihiga Edition

The advent of devolution in Kenya strangely coincided with my university education. As a student at Masinde Muliro University in Kakamega County, I watched with wide-eyed curiosity as the new county governments grappled with their newfound power. In Kakamega, even the smallest development—like turning ghetto paths into proper roads or building mama mboga stalls—felt like a hopeful step forward. Meanwhile, back home in Vihiga County, my feelings were the exact opposite. The leadership seemed obsessed with short-term spectacles and quick photo opportunities, not a long-term vision. I sneered at the first county governor’s approach, dismissing it as directionless. Sadly, hindsight has proven me right—and then some. Photo Credits: The Standard Two terms and billions later, the story is depressingly familiar. Vihiga boasts of “stadiums” like Kidundu, Hamisi, and Mumboha—monuments not to sports, but to mediocrity. Millions were sunk into these facilities, only for them to resemble cattle m...

No Opportunities? Or just lazy, entitled Youth...

Yesterday, I rode a bicycle for over 25 kilometers . Not on some fancy cycling trail or in a city marathon, but through the rugged countryside, under a sky that seemed determined to drown me. The heavens opened wide, the rain poured, and within minutes, I was soaked to the bone. Mud splashed with every turn of the wheel, my legs burned, and every car that passed left me looking more like a stray dog than a man with purpose. Why endure all this? Because I was headed to meet a group of talented young people —people I have worked with for months, helping them shape ideas around technology and the lot into real enterprises. It was their meeting. They set it up. They picked the time. They picked the place. I showed up, dripping wet, hungry, exhausted… and alone (mostly). No calls. No messages. No apologies. Just silence. And yet, when the dust—or rather mud—settles, these are the same young people who will look at society and claim, “There are no opportunities for us.” The Myth of Limit...