Get down to business and deliver, Garissa leaders told

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Garissa branch is now calling on elected leaders to get down to serious business and deliver on their pledges.

Speaking in their Garissa office on Saturday, Supkem chairman Abdullahi Salat said that all residents were looking forward to was getting services they were yearning for.

Among those who won in the election are Governor-elect Nathif Jama, Senator-elect Abdul Haji and Woman Representative-elect Udgoon Siyad.

Out of the 30 elected MCAs, only three retained their seats.

“First and foremost we thank residents of Garissa for maintaining peace during the polls. Now we have elected leaders — governor, senator, MPs and MCAs who are only waiting to be sworn in. The moment that is done, they should get down to performing their respective roles,” Salat.

While regretting that the county has stagnated in matters development for the last 10 years since devolution came into place, Salat said the incoming administration must start work without wasting time. 

“To our MCAs, they should carry out their duties of representation, oversight and legislation diligently. We don’t want to start hearing of stories of being compromised by the executive like has been the case in the past,” he said.

The county has been grappling with a myriad of challenges, among them, lack of drugs in hospitals, with patients forced to seek services in private facilities.

The situation was made worse with residents of Garissa facing acute water shortage for several months.

“As a county, we have numerous challenges that our people are grappling with, like water shortage, lack of drugs in our hospitals and generally poor service delivery," the Supkem chairman said. 

"These are issues that require urgent attention from the new administration.” 

Salat, who was flanked by other Supkem officials, said the fact the newly elected Jama got overwhelming support from across the county shows that residents were yearning for change and serving delivery.

“It is our prayer and hope that the next five years we will see tremendous change and improvement in terms of service delivery. We urge the governor to get the right people who will help him deliver,” he said.

Salat further challenged the civil society groups and residents to keep the government in check and highlight issues when they happen, saying that the organisation will remain steadfast pointing out the issues as well.

He said, unlike in the past where residents knew little about devolution, people have become more enlightened.

The people, the Supkem chairman said, know their rights and what is expected of their leaders in terms of offering services.

(edited by Amol Awuor)