The Assistant County Commissioner for Ngong division in Kaijiado county Ms Metrine Wafula has put all chiefs and their assistants who over indulge in alcoholism at the expense of their duties on notice.
She said the war on substance abuse could never be won unless those entrusted with the campaign were part of the solution and not the problem arguing that such officers were lax to enforce the law in favour of the “bottle”.
Wafula who was addressing residents of Kangawa, Kajiado County on Saturday at the ACK Church during a meeting between the residents and the Kenya Railway Corporation (KRC) expressed anger after all assistant chiefs from Oloolua Location arrived late for the meeting.
According to the ACC, the assistant chiefs were not representing their area of jurisdiction and serving the residents properly due to excessive drunkenness.
“We cannot afford to bring shame to the highest office in the land and I call on you to change and serve the people accordingly,” she said. “There are very many young people who are unemployed, looking for jobs and they are ready to serve the public,” said the ACC.
She noted that the recent vacant positions advertised for chiefs and their assistants in Kajiado North attracted over 100 applicants and 50 were shortlisted for the interviews.
“This is a clear indication that there are young people who are qualified and they are seriously looking for an opportunity to work,” Wafula told the Chiefs.
Wafula said the rising insecurity challenge in the area can be linked to the laxity of chiefs in executing their role and mandate as security agents in their locations and sub locations.
However, she warned that alcoholism will not be condoned in any government office since the chiefs and their assistants are expected to fight alcohol and drug abuse in their respective areas.
The ACC urged the residents to always seek for dialogue with the Government Authorities whenever they want to demonstrate their grievances since blocking of roads will not be a solution.
She said the Kenya Railways (KRC) had confirmed in the meeting that the National Land Commission (NLC) had completed paying the compensations for the residents of Kajiado North who were affected by the phase two SGR corridor.
Ms Wafula said SGR is a Vision 2030 Kenyan flagship project that is being constructed under tight time schedules and nobody will be entertained to stop the project due to minor issues that can be addressed through other Government channels.
She said the China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) which is the SGR contractor can listen to the people and already they have promised to ensure the roads are always passable.
The ACC advised the residents to report cases of roads that have been rendered impassable by the SGR construction lorries in order to be addressed as soon as possible.
Similarly, Kangawa Residents Association Chairman George Nkata lauded the KR for listening to their grievances and finding solutions to the issues affecting the community during the SGR construction process.
Nkata said it was good for the community to unite and know what is in store for them on matters Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects that they will benefit by the virtue of SGR passing through their land.
He blamed the elected leaders in the area for allegedly by-passing the community to meet the Managing Director of the Kenya Railways Corporation without the knowledge of the residents.
“Yes we have agreed to forward our proposal as residents of Kangawa to the relevant authorities and not those of greedy leaders,” said Nkata.
The community Chairman said it is very disappointing to have leaders who want their interests to be served first and that of the electorate last.
“As common citizens we have been left without the representation of our leaders since our roads have become impassable, while other residents cannot access their homes after the coming of SGR,” he said. “We need to live our normal lives before and after the SGR,” added Nkata.
The 120 kilometer SGR project from Nairobi South Railway station through Naivasha Industrial Park- Enoosupukia, Narok County is an extension of the Mombasa – Nairobi line which is expected to be completed by June 2019.
The SGR phase 2A project is at its final stages after NLC announced plans to immediately finalize compensations amounting to Sh10.2 billion two weeks ago to the people whose land was compulsorily acquired by Government to pave way for the project.
By Nelly Kosgey
