By Betty Luke
Wabera MCA Kiambi Salesio has faulted the Isiolo County Government over poor drainage and slow response to residents affected by recent heavy rains.
He said more than 300 residents from Kiwanjani had been displaced from their homes with many sleeping in the cold after their homes were marooned in floods.
“If the drainage system is done well, it can greatly help. The old drainage system should be unclogged,” he said.
The MCA urged the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officials to visit the affected areas especially those along the Isiolo-Moyale highway and assess the damage to ensure proper measures to avert further damage are put in place.
“KeNHA should swing into action. Flood water running through the highway has severely impacted residents within the township. They should stop sitting in offices. I am ready to show them where a box culvert can be installed to prevent further damage,” he added.
He said residents had lost property worth thousands of shillings noting that majority of them had no source of livelihood.
The lawmaker urged the national government to intervene and provide food to families that have lost their businesses and can no longer fend for themselves.
He also called for better planning of Isiolo town to avoid recurring disasters noting failure to plan would lead to more suffering.
Kiambi criticized Municipality Manager Osman Halakhe for failing to improve garbage collection and ensure proper drainage, despite receiving Sh63 million from donors and Sh35 million in the county budget.
“We have passed many motions to push for proper drainage, but nothing is happening. The town is dirty. If he lacks staff to clean, let him advertise for jobs and hire workers. We have so many jobless individuals,”he said.
He also questioned the use of disaster funds, saying it was sad that Sh110 million was being allocated annually under the special program, but victims were not getting support in time.
He demanded an urgent meeting by the County Secretary Dade Boru to coordinate relief efforts.
A concerned resident Wilfred Mutethia, accused the municipality and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of allegedly abandoning their responsibilities.
“The agency is busy chasing smokie vendors instead of offering real solutions,” he said.
He accused the local leaders of alleged discrimination in dealing with disasters across the vast county.
“Are we second-class citizens? If this happened in Isiolo South, we would be seeing helicopters delivering aid,” he said.
The MCA promised to allocate the Ward Development Fund towards improving Wabera’s roads, which he described as filthy and neglected.
“Isiolo must be properly planned. Otherwise, we will keep suffering,” he said.
