Books

This is a book about the Maasai pioneers, the men and women who used their talents, resources, knowledge, skills, charisma and character to serve the community, or a section of it, between the mid-1700’s and early 21st Century. Sironka has ably examined the traditional and modern pioneers, from Olarinkoi in the Endikir e Kerio (the Kerio Valley), to Stanley Oloitipitip from Loitokitok. He has brilliantly weaved Maasai history, culture, leadership, politics, land and other pertinent issues throughout the book, making it informative and very interesting to read. This powerful book reads like the book of Numbers in the Bible when 12 Jewish spies were sent to spy the land of Canaan, which the Israelites wanted to conquer and occupy. Ten came back and reported that the land was full of giants and dangerous people. They discouraged the Jews from pursuing their vision of capturing Canaan. They were psychologically and mentally defeated by the sight and the physique of the people they saw in Canaan. When the people heard the report, they rebelled. Their fear outweighed their faith in God and vision. Out of the 12 men who spied on Canaan, two (Caleb and Joshua) gave a positive report that the land was theirs already by God’s will, full of milk and honey waiting for them to take possession of. They tried to instill hope and confidence in the community by telling them that nothing and nobody would stop the Israelites from taking the envisioned land of Canaan. However, the actions and attitudes of the 10 spies caused the Jews to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years. After that, in spite of the deaths and the many challenges faced by the Jews, Caleb, Joshua and their generation did not let the dream die. They led the people to Canaan, leaving behind graves of their pioneers in the desert. Sironka has written an honest book that depicts that very few Maasai pioneers – ancient and recent – fought hard enough, ignited suffcient passion and vision, sacrificed adequately or inspired hope and sustainable development among Maa-speaking people. His thesis is that, like the Jews in Numbers 13 and 14, there have been less Joshuas and Calebs among the Maasai, traditional and modern, to lead the people into sustainable prosperity and progress in the last 300 years.