Oloolua Ward MCA Eli Gor has earned a new political nickname “Mr Beans” after distributing beans and rice to a large group of residents in Olooua and Embulbul, but a local researcher says the controversy surrounding the nickname points to a much bigger issues of food insecurity and poverty.
The food distribution initiative by MCA Gor drew both praise from beneficiaries and political criticism from his rivals, who subsequently branded him “Mr Beans.”
However, Brian Mugwe, a researcher based in Ong’ata Rongai, says political nicknames are often deliberately coined by opponents as a way of teasing political leaders and potentially weakening their support.
“Behind every nickname, there is a story. Gor was attempting to mitigate a hunger crisis in Oloolua. There is a population in Kenya which is struggling with food. That is the reality. The hunger crisis is the story that needs to be told,” Mugwe said.
The debate comes at a time when poverty and food insecurity remain significant challenges in Kenya.
An Oxfam inequality report cited by the researcher puts Kenya’s extreme poverty rate at 46 per cent, ranking the country among those with some of the highest levels of extreme poverty globally.
According to the report, despite Kenya recording significant economic growth over the past decade, excluding 2020, an additional seven million Kenyans have fallen into extreme poverty since 2015.
The report also highlights the concentration of wealth in the country, stating that the richest 125 Kenyans hold more wealth than 77 per cent of the population which is equivalent to about 42.6 million people.
Food insecurity has also worsened. The report indicates that the number of Kenyans experiencing moderate and severe food insecurity increased by 17 million between 2014 and 2024, representing a 71 per cent rise. For residents facing food shortages, therefore, the beans and rice distributed by Gor may represent more than a political gesture.
“For now, the beans and rice distributed by MCA Gor is a lifeline for many families struggling with poverty,” Mugwe said.
But Mugwe argues that food donations, while providing immediate relief, cannot provide a permanent solution to poverty. He advised elected leaders, including members of the county assembly, to prioritise on policies and development programmes that can improve household incomes and create employment opportunities.
“Gor and other members of the county assembly must create laws that will encourage farming and a conducive business environment that will attract quality investors who will create well paying jobs,” he said.
The Oxfam report similarly recommends progressive taxation, increased investment in essential public services such as education and healthcare, creation of quality jobs and addressing land inequality as measures that could help reduce inequality.
“Inequality and poverty reinforce each other. When economic resources and opportunities are concentrated in fewer hands, it worsens poverty for those at the bottom who also must pay to access essential public services due to the state’s failure to provide these services,” the report states.
Mugwe says Gor should not necessarily be concerned about the nickname, but should instead use the attention to push for long term development in Oloolua.
“For Oloolua residents, the debate over “Mr Beans” therefore raises a question that extends beyond political rivalry. How can leaders move from providing short term relief to creating the economic opportunities that enable families to consistently afford food?” Mugwe said.
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