Kisumu County has many institutions of higher learning, with professors, doctors and scholars who have enormous knowledge on issues affecting our society.
The academicians have done research in various fields ranging from agriculture health, politics, economics just to mention but four, yet residents have little information on such issues, which in most cases affects them in one way or another.
I strongly believe the vast knowledge and research findings by the scholars can reach the masses and probably change one or two lives for the better if the scholars can disseminate their knowledge through public lectures.
Even though our people yearn for knowledge, we live in an age where many are inclined to stay home and be on the computers, watch videos or engage in social media but many lack the knowledge on research findings.
Emerging issues on health, governance, entrepreneurship and democracy have failed to reach the common person down the street or village yet they are the people affected directly.
Public lectures are not only limited to scholars. Leaders in the county government of Kisumu can use them to pass crucial information to citizens.
Public lectures provide interaction; they are also a better means of communication that social media and others cannot accomplish.
I once attended an event at a Kisumu hotel, where the Minister for Communication, Information and Technology Michael Oduor Onyango, informed us that the county government would be passing crucial information to people through text messages.
Information on county activities and job vacancies is available. I must admit that I have been getting the information but unfortunately, I cannot ask questions or get clarifications.
Public lectures give a chance for question and answers. It is easier to engage with the audience.
Our people live on assumptions and ignorance. With public lectures, they can understand issues from an informed perspective.
Lest we forget that, we are living in an age where ethnicity has taken the better part of us. Public lectures can bring people together, thereby increasing social cohesiveness.
I once attended a lecture organised at Maseno University themed: The Kenya Middle Class and Response to Social Security”. The lecture was administered by Lena Kroeker, a researcher from the University of Byruth, Germany.
It was encouraging because I got to understand the different economic groups in Kenya and where I fit.
It was motivational because I got a revelation that I need to work harder to liberate myself from the yoke of poverty.
Researchers can help raise literacy levels through organising public lectures and disseminating their research findings to the people.
It is through the lectures that the common mwananchi can ask questions about pertinent issues in society, which affect him/her directly or indirectly.