Focus on MD, Meso

This week in Busia, we focus on one of our most gallant sons - MD, Lucas Meso.

MD Meso who hails from very humble beginnings has risen from the humble Bumutiru village to have an impact not only in the County of Busia, but at the national level and beyond.

MD whose secondary schooling was at the eBukhalalire Secondary school went on to achieve much much more. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration specializing in Strategic Management from Maastricht (MSM)/Esami) and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Financial Services from the University of Manchester. He is also an associate of the Chartered Institute of bankers (ACIB) UK and a Fellow of the IFS School of Finance (FIFS).

MD Meso has as a private citizen contributed greatly to the socio-economic growth of his home county, hundreds of youths today are able to eke a living thanks to the gainful employment they have thanks to MD. Schools, hospitals etc around the county now don classrooms, dormitories, staff-rooms and laboratories that have been realized thanks to the MD's initiatives.

His contributions at the national level have been immence and this even saw the government of Hon. Kibaki award him the prestigious state honour of MBS (Moran of the Burning Spear).

Having served diligently at the Central Bank and at the East Africa Development Bank, MD took over the leadership of AFC in 2011 and totally turned it around. From a loss making parastatal that was in constant need of bailouts by the central government, one that was almost being merged with others.

AFC is today one of Kenya's most profitable and stable state corporations. AFC today unlike the past is able to offer medical cover to all its staff, boasts  of a modern fleet of vehicles plus an expanded branch network now that stands at 45 branches. 
It is worth noting that whereas AFC has been existence since 1963, it is under MD's leadership that a Kenyan president has overseen an AFC function and even officially opened one of its branches.
Today, AFC offers its staff a world-class working experience and is definitely one of the parastatals that will be able to comply with the recent SRC guidelines on remuneration of parastatal employees.

At the Continental level, MD Meso has made a mark, just last month he got elected into the executive committee of the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI). 

At the international arena, MD Meso has always been called upon to give talks and contribute to global forums in Havard USA, Netherlands, Germany etc.

Whether his name appears on the ballot or not, there is no denying that he will play a major role in who becomes MP in Butula as well as who becomes Governor and Senator at the County level.  It is not lost to us that just recently, the head of state chose to waive loans owed by Busia county farmers to AFC.

MD does remain a father figure in the county, mentoring lots of youths. 

With a son such as this one Busia's future is indeed very bright.