WHERE DOES KALISTO GET THE MONEY? The Question Other County Commissioners Should Answer

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"No resource is too small to make a difference, but not trying with the little available is actually being nothing as a leader," Abunerry. 

When Hon. Kalisto Lodu was appointed Mayor of the Juba City Council, he transformed Juba City within six months before he was dismissed and jailed. He was the talk of the country. On 22 September 2026, he was appointed caretaker commissioner of Juba County, in which even an unborn child knows he has transformed Juba County in less than a month. Kalisto's transformative development raises a question: Where does he get the money for all those works? While this article may not answer the question, it challenges other leaders to be creative, utilise public resources and taxes in the interest of the people, and carefully weigh their chosen paths of vision.

While Juba has many revenue sources that help raise taxes for development, Kalisto has been functioning uniquely compared to other leaders who have held the same offices. Kalisto appears to be using the revenue responsibly, regardless of the sources. He proportionately uses the money to benefit the people, which is in the public interest. None of those who have held the offices he is holding has garnered praise for underperformance.

A great leader is creative and listens to people in the streets rather than from offices. Kalisto's creativity is unmatched, even by that of his immediate supervisor, the governor, because he goes crazy, like a madman, just to listen to ordinary people's discussions. Like a fool, he gets straight to work and creates something to do in accordance with his findings. He plays it cool and strategically collects money through fines and sometimes community contributions. Kalisto's cool play in revenue collection and service delivery is a challenge to other commissioners to understand how leadership works.

A true leader does not look at how much is available but at what is available to accomplish a project. When Moses complained, as the Bible records, that he was unable to pursue his task, God asked him what he had. “A staff,” he replied. God commanded Moses to use it. The only available item (a "staff", Exodus 4:2–3) accomplished a redemptive project. In light of this example, do our commissioners know that they have more than Moses did to transform their counties?

The SPLM leadership has been in power for the last twenty years, but what they have achieved would surprise even the devil. Molouna Kalisto, a cadre who surfaced in 2021 in the political arena, outshines most of his comrades. If he is able to do much with the little he gets, how much will he do when he gets much? Of course, Scripture tells us that to whom much is given, much is expected; Kalisto is this Scripture in human form.

Finally, whatever Kalisto is doing in Juba, I request that other county officials take a leaf out of his book and try to be responsive to the people. There are lawful and transparent ways to mobilise local revenue from the people, as long as they see the impact of their contributions. Leadership is not measured by how much is available but by what is available to serve the public. No resource is too small to make a difference, but not trying with the little available is actually being nothing as a leader. Every county commissioner should therefore answer two questions: What resources are available, and what tangible benefits are the people receiving from them?

Sir, Abunerry

Brutal Writer, Critic and Apologist,

Magwi.