Deputy District Officer Dreams of School

Reverend Obondi, our boss, drives me and Ian to the Kisumu District office to introduce us to the District Commissioner. The commissioner is busy, however, so one of the Reverend's old friends takes us to see the deputy district officer (DDO). People, mostly elderly, line the hallways and stand corralled behind barricades. They are here to talk to the government about land issues. Reverend introduces us to the DDO, who says, 'Karibo,' which means 'welcome.' Then he looks at me and says, 'Tell me about the doctorate program at Washington State. Is it true I can sit here in my office and write a thesis and receive my degree over here?'

I know nothing about the program at Washington State but encourage the officer to look it up on the internet, telling him he can even apply on-line. He seems impressed. Reverend tells the officer we have stopped by so they'll know we are, just in case we're out in the field sometime and are suspected of being spies or researchers. 'Spying on what?,' Ian asks in private. And when did researchers become criminals? The DDO says, 'Karibo. You know, they say alignment and non-alignment is over now that the cold war is finished. My dissertation will be on the impact of shifting power on African countries.' Again, he is directing his comments to me. Again, I encourage him to pursue his studies.

Everyone in Kenya wants to go to school in the U.S. 'Cindi, will you have a few minutes to talk to me about education in the U.S.,' a co-worker asks. 'Of course,' I say, 'come by my office anytime.' And as I pad my way up the stairs, I wonder what exactly I can tell them.