Residents from three villages in Kikumbulyu North Ward have urged the County Government of Makueni to set aside money in the next financial year to install flood lights in an effort to improve security in local markets.
The residents of Mulangoni, Musingini and Kanyungu villagers led by businesswoman Cecilia Kioko said with the installation of floodlights, it will help them do business into the night besides improving security in the area.
Ms. Kioko said that it is imperative for the county government to set funds to address the issue of drainage and construction of toilets and sheds in the markets that she said were in bad condition.
“Our markets lack basic facilities like toilets and sheds making it difficult for us to work in a clean and safe environment free of diseases,” said Ms. Kioko during a public participation engagement forum on Tuesday.
During the event, Emily Mumbua urged the government to ensure they provided seed and fertilizer in time so that they can be able to plant crops saying the delay has impacted negatively on their production.
“We rely on these seeds and fertilizer to plant, but every year, they come when the rains have already started or even ended where this delay affects our food production and leaves us struggling to feed our families,” Mumbua lamented.
On wildlife, Denis Mulandi called on the government to tame the animals in the National Parks noting that they have incurred huge losses due to destruction of crops by the wildlife animals in the area.
“These elephants invade our farms and destroy our crops leaving us with nothing to harvest. We are scared to move freely because we don’t know when they might attack. The government must act and ensure these animals are kept within national Parks,” Mulandi said
The Kikumbulyu Ward Administrator Alex Makau Nzambu led the public participation forum engagements in the three villages and asked the residents to take matters seriously, saying this is the time they can say what projects they want in their areas.
“This engagement allows residents to highlight their most pressing needs, which will inform budget allocations and policy decisions,” he stated.
Present at the forum was Emali/Sultan Hamud Municipal Manager Philip Ngila among other county government officials.
By Faith Mutinda
