Duale and governor clash over planned giraffe sanctuary

A storm is brewing between Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and local MP Aden Duale over the former’s plan to upgrade a local game reserve.

The county government wants to fence off over 50 square kilometres of land for the project, displacing many residents as a result.

However, Mr Duale, who is the Garissa Township MP, says that displacing people from their land will create many problems.

“Where does the governor expect people of Bula Argi to go after taking their land?” Mr Duale posed.

Last week, Mr Jama, while launching a development plan to attract visitors at the Bula Argi Giraffe Sanctuary, said his administration will spend millions of shillings to fence off and to upgrade the sanctuary to the level of national game park.

However, Mr Duale poked holes in the plans, saying, there was no need to fence off the land to protect the animals since local communities have been conserving them over the years.
THE BIGGEST ASSET

“There is no need to make conservation of the giraffes a county government affair,” Mr Duale said.

“Land as the biggest asset, belongs to the public and the county government does not have any right to take it from the people. Land is not a devolved function. It is the work of the lands body to decide on the use and management of land.

“The National Land Commission is the only body responsible allocation of land, and the Garissa County Government will not be allowed to take over this parcel of land,” Mr Duale said.

There were more pressing issues the county government should give priority to rather than spend million of shillings on conserving giraffes, he said.

“This is a case of misplaced priorities. While people of Garissa are struggling to get basic needs such as water, someone is thinking of spending heavily on wildlife, which has no problem anyway,” Mr Duale said

Mr Duale, who is also the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, accused Mr Jama of overstepping his mandate.

He also accused the governor of unfair distribution of resources and employment opportunities in the county.

“We shall oppose any illegal move likely to hurt the constituents by making them landless,” Mr Duale said.

“Our people are either farmers or pastoralists. This means they will suffer a lot if their land is taken away,” he said.

“I want to categorically tell my friend the governor that there is no inch of land in my constituency that will be allocated to giraffes or any other wild animals. No one is going to displace people for any project,” the MP added.

Mr Duale has been a major critic of the Garissa county government.

Land has been a emotive issue in Kenya and any time someone touches the resource, it sparks controversy.

In a quick rejoinder, Mr Jama, through his communications director Abdikadir Sugow, told off Mr Duale, accusing him of failing to bring development to his constituency despite holding a national office.

DIFFERENT ANIMALS

“It is unfortunate that he has instead resorted to fighting projects the county government is initiating to help the people of Garissa,” Mr Sugow said.

“We will spend about Sh4 million to revamp the sanctuary and bring in different animals to attract tourists to this area,” he said.

The governor accused Mr Duale of opposing development in the county, which he said has been neglected by successive governments.

He asked the MP to appreciate what the county government is doing and work with local leaders to realise development.