The Bura MP, Ali Wario has urged the Garissa governor, Ali Korane to consult with his Tana counterpart Dadho Godana before issuing directives that impact on both neighbouring counties.
Addressing the press at his Madogo residence on Friday, Wario said Korane had twice issued orders that could not be implemented because he failed to consult beforehand.
For instance, mid last month the governor banned transportation and sale of Miraa within Garissa County, but on April 6, President Uhuru Kenyatta while banning any movement by road, rail or air in and out of Nairobi metropolitan, classified miraa as farm produce, whose movement was not restricted thus overriding Korane’s directive.
President Kenyatta said the move was aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus to other parts of the country since 82 percent of Kenya’s reported cases had been recorded in Nairobi.
Again on Tuesday, Korane issued another order banning movement of vehicles, boda boda and Tuk tuk in and out of Garissa town.
Soon after, youth from neighbouring Madogo and Mororo markets in Tana County temporarily barricaded the Garissa – Nairobi highway forcing the Garissa county administration to back down on the decision.
Wario said that had the governor consulted widely the two directives should not have been issued in the first place.
“Twice, the governor has issued orders. First was the ban on sale and transportation of miraa in total disregard of the many people who depend on the business. On Tuesday he issued another impractical order banning vehicles and boda boda from entering and coming out of Garissa town through the Tana Bridge,” Wario said.
“Our history with Garissa is intertwined. Was there any consultation between the county governments of Garissa and Tana River or leaders at different levels before these orders were issued?” he posed.
The MP said that any decision being made especially now as the country faces coronavirus should involve leaders from both counties.
“I am appealing to county governments not to wake up and institute measures that are difficult to implement. They need to develop necessary structures before they make key decisions and also consult widely before issuing orders,” he said.
“My appeal to both governors is to widely consult and agree on decisions that will not adversely affect the general population,” he noted.
Commenting on the same, national assembly majority leader and Garissa Township MP, Aden Duale through his twitter handle said, “It’s now clear who is eligible to enforce cessation of movement orders. Governors have absolutely no powers. Everybody should now respect the law.”
Duale was quoting an earlier tweet by the Inspector General of police directing security officers not to enforce cessation of movement orders from Governors. It’s only valid when issued by interior CS, noted the tweet.
By Jacob Songok
