It was a joyous moment for residents of Masalani in Ijara subcounty after the town was finally elevated into a municipality.
The process that started last year and which saw Garissa Governor Nathif Jama sign the Masalani Municipality Charter culminated at the Masalani Baraza park where thousands of jubilant residents braced the scorching sun to witness the momentous occasion.
The launch was presided over by Defence CS Aden Duale and Governor Jama. Others in attendance were Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane his Wajir counterpart, Ahmed Muhumed, Tana River Deputy Governor Mohamed Ali Loka, MPs Abdi (Ijara), Abdikadir Hussein (Lagdera), Mohamed Adow (Wajir South), Dekow Barrow (Garissa Township), Umulkher Harun (Nominated MP), Garissa county Assembly Speaker Abdi Idle and a host of MCAs, senior county and national government officials and eminent community elders and professionals.
CS Duale who welcomed the developments said the subdivisions of larger regions enables effective and efficient governance and service provision.
He said if successfully implemented, the municipality will come with resources, functions and manpower for the community, especially members of the Bura and Dadaab subcounties.
Governor Jama said the launch of Masalani was a deliberate and strategic move to elevate the area to the status of a municipality, and is a testament that his administration is committed ti ensuring their actions are not only people–centred, but also people-driven by further devolving services to the grassroots.
“Today's event is particularly historical and close to my heart because sometime back while campaigning, I made a commitment on this same grounds that, if elected, I will elevate Masalani to a municipality. It is, therefore, with the feeling of happiness and the excitement of fulfilling that promise that I am extremely honoured to be addressing this gathering,” he said.
He added, “Such development is also a true manifestation of the spirit of devolution since the creation of the municipality stands for taking services more closer to our rural masses.
Jama said with the launch of the Masalani municipality begins the new journey of setting the town and its community on the road to a new, brighter and prosperous future.
The charters that would culminate to the elevation of Bura and Dadaab to the status of a municipality are in the process of formulation.
Senator Haji said the elevation and the conferment of the area to the level of municipality will also serve as a catalyst for growth and development and the delivery of urban services that will promote the socio- economic status of the area and create numerous job opportunities for the local people.
ODM Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun urged both leaders and residents to seize the opportunity and set the pace for other subcounties.
She urged the Defence CS to follow to it and see that the Garissa passport office is re-opened, noting that residents were being forced to travel to Nairobi to get the important document, and this she said, not only proved to expensive and time consuming but also difficult for the elderly.
“Brothers and sisters our achievements as leaders can only be measured by our resolve to improve the lives of the masses that we chose to lead. In this regard I hope and pray that we all strive towards achieving that,” she said.
Yussuf Mohamed Abdi will be acting as the CEO of the municipality and will be an acting ex-officio of a seven member board committee.
Among the functions that will be performed by the municipality include promotion, regulation and provision of refuse collection and solid waste management services. Others are promotion and provision of water and sanitation services and infrastructure (in areas within the Municipality not served by the Water and Sanitation Provider).
It will also provide for efficient and accountable management of the affairs of the municipality as well as provide for a governance mechanism that will enable the inhabitants of the municipality to participate in determining the social services and regulatory framework which will best satisfy their needs and expectations.
Others are to vigorously pursue the developmental opportunities which are available in the municipality, and to institute such measures as are necessary for achieving public order and the provisions of civic amenities, so as to enhance the quality of life of the inhabitants of the municipality.
-Edited by SKanyara
