Electricity among top in the list of priorities in the forthcoming Marsabit budget

Marsabit, Friday May 19, 2023

KNA by Sebastian Miriti

Leaders and residents of Marsabit County want power and roads projects among other developments to be given priority in the forthcoming budget.

The residents asked the national assembly committee on budget to allocate funds for construction of police stations and public administrative offices across the county for effective and improved provision of security services.

Speaking during a one day public participation exercise on the country’s financial plan for the year 2023/2024 at the Catholic social hall, the residents and leaders led by Governor Mohamud Ali pointed out that Marsabit was narrowly connected to electricity despite being the host to the biggest wind power farm in Africa.

The sitting steered by the chairperson of the committee Ndindi Nyoro heard that the county was not connected to the national grid leaving the few townships connected to power at the mercy of unreliable and old generators run by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

The views were echoed by local elected leaders that included county woman representative Naomi Wako, Saku MP Dido Raso and members of the county assembly who said lack of adequate and reliable electricity was impacting negatively on development.

“We are choked by pollution from these old diesel generators which have also exposed us to endless power black outs and rationing schedules,” said Fatuma Lenguro, a business woman in Marsabit town as she demanded residents be connected to clean wind energy.

Ms. Fatuma said lack of reliable electricity was hindering creation of digital jobs and learning, and service delivery from the government and the private sector which are nowadays automated.

She pointed out that carbon emissions from the generators, firewood and charcoal was not only a threat to the health of local communities but a setback to efforts being applied to mitigate climate change.  

The team was implored to ensure stalled water projects like Badassa dam in Saku constituency are revived and completed in order to save residents from trekking long distances in search of the commodity and at times from unsafe sources.

On roads, the residents decried the general poor road network in the county lamenting it hindered growth owing to high transportation costs.

Governor Ali called on the committee to prioritize upgrading of Marsabit-Dirib-Songa road saying it was key in enhancing security in the area.

The participants further urged the government to ensure monies from the equalization fund are put into prudent use and with the participation of the beneficiaries and the county government in order to accelerate growth.

Mr Nyoro who is also the Member of Parliament for Kiharu Constituency, assured residents that their views would be considered and that projects would be funded as per their desire.

The chairperson who was accompanied by members Kitilai Ole Ntutu (Narok South) and Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis) said President Ruto’s administration would factor in money for subsidized fertilizer in the budget to fully revive the agricultural sector which is the backbone of the economy.  

The legislator said supporting agriculture would restore dignity of Kenyans by making them food secure as well as empowering them financially.

Courtesy; K.N.A