Reflections

On things financial......

You usually expect 'the third world' to be catching up with the west, but soon after arriving I learned that Kenya was the birthplace of something truly unique, a financial service that is quickly spreading to other developing countries, transforming business, microfinancing, banking and the social welfare of many. M-Pesa (m=mobile, pesa= swahili for money, = mobile money)

My first surprise was how widespread mobile phones are in Kenya. Seemed like everyone had one, and indeed its true. (Farmer herding goats in the rurals, mobile in one hand, staff in the other) They're cheap and ubiquitous, and it's a pay as you go system (purchase service cards in denominations as low as 20Ken shillings).

And here's where the beauty of MPesa took seed. Created by Safaricom, the biggest cell ph provider in Kenya, MPesa offers the transfer of money via mobile phone through a network of agents in every community. Want to send money to me? simply code it into the phone and I can pick it up from any MPesa agent.

In a country where fewer than 30% have bank accounts, MPesa has brought banking services in even the most remote locations, among the poorest of people. MPesa began in mid 2007 and now has over 12million subscribers in a country whose total population is 38M! Now you can pay bills on the phone, big food markets are taking payment that way, and the latest is that a major bank is now working with MPesa to provide access to banking services.

The other feature making MPesa such a phenomenon is that an entrenched part of family and friendship culture here is the loaning of money to cover short term needs. In such a culture MPesa fits like a glove, and Kenyans have taken to it mightily; the latest development is the extension of services to allow the Kenyan diaspora to funnel money home via MPesa. So, a financial success story from 'the dark continent'.

On things ornothological....

Just spent a few days at Lake Baringo, a famous birding locale where the uplands of Rift Valley Kenya begin their descent to the dry, hot plains of the north, toward Ethiopia and Sudan. Amazing - check out these beauties....

Because its beyond me to get captions lined up, you'll need to identify Rufous Brested Roller, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher,

Jackson Hornbill, White Brested Goaway Bird, and Eurasian Hoopoe yourself.

On things political ...

There was significant post election violence in Kenya in early 2008 due to hotly contested presidential results. Over 1200 died, and almost half a million were displaced as a result of violence based upon tribal rivalries that spilled over when the delayed results were announced. To Kenyans themselves, and to the outside world, this came a major surprise as the country has long been regarded as one of Africa's most stable democracies. A commission of inquiry investigated, but the government declined to go ahead with any criminal charges against those who incited the violence. Instead the International Criminal Court launched its own enquiry, and chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is set to announce pre Christmas the names of six high ranking officials and politicians who will be charged by the ICC. To say that the political atmosphere is charged would be to put it mildly, and the possible fallout will play a significant role in the lead up to 2012 elections. Standby for news from Kenya before Christmas.

Moreno-Ocampo

On things nautical and familial.....

As some of you know there's a good slice of my family on board the sailboat 'Silas Crosby' thats been making its way down the west coast since September.

I'm happy to report that Steve, John and Meredith have reached the Sea of Cortez safely. Kim and Claire will meet up with Mer on mainland Mexico, while Steve improves his Spanish, and John flies home to Vancouver for Christmas with Linda. Beyond the holidays the boat will head for the Galapogos, and then further into the south Pacific, with the coast of Chile beckoning in 'spring' '11.

Congratulations to skipper Steve and crew, and my best wishes for the new year.

You can follow their exploits at http://www.silascrosby.com/

Just a few weeks to go on my Kenya adventure, and home in time for new year!

Cheers to all as the festive season approaches.