Residents of the remote Mwania Kaharo area in Gatanga, Murang’a County are up in arms agaisnt their leaders whom they said have never set foot in the area since they were elected two years ago despite the area suffering numerous development challenges.
They said they felt disadvantaged holed up in a village that has no access roads, water or electricity connectivity over the years yet they have elected leaders.
Led by Murigi Njogu, one of the residents, they said no vehicle plies that area, forcing most of them not to travel outside the area for years.
The frustrations have made them mobilize themselves to dig up new access roads, fund-raise for medical cover and for school bursaries.
“Our leaders have let us down. We are on our own since no leader has ever bothered visiting the area. No single development project has been launched in this place both by the MP and the County government. The area doesn’t have road, water or electricity connections yet we have leaders?” Murigi lamented.
The residents who were armed with jembes, shovels, and pangas to repair some damaged roads accused the area MP Edward Muriu of neglecting them, saying he has never implemented any single development project since he took power.
On education, they cited the NG-CDF funded bursary programme, saying since no learner from the area has received any bursary and that they were used to fundraising to educate children from poor backgrounds.
Other residents led by Susan Wamaitha shared harrowing stories, including how pregnant women give birth at their homes or by the roadside due to impassable roads.
“Since no vehicle plies this route, women delivering by the road side is a norm. It is dangerous but we have no option,” said Wamaitha.
Monicah Mwangi and Joseph Mwangi highlighted the dangers learners faced as they were forced to walk for several kilometers through dense forests to get to school.
“We always fear that our children may be attacked by wild animals when maneuvering through the thickets. Recently, a school girl was attacked and raped while walking home from school. It’s like living in a jungle where no one wants to take responsibility,” Ms. Mwangi said.
Due to lack of medicine in the local health centres, they said they were forced to use traditional herbal medicine which sometimes does not work.
The residents however remained determined to continue their efforts to improve their infrastructure and living conditions, despite the challenges.
By Muoki Charles
