Isiolo residents demand inclusion in committees planning Vision 2030 projects

Residents of Isiolo have demanded proper and thorough consultations by all investors and stakeholders before the implementation of the Vision 2030 projects in the county.

They have vowed to block the projects citing lack of inclusion in the committees planning the different ambitious infrastructural developments.

Speaking on Tuesday during a public meeting at Kambi Garba, the residents, led by Pastoralist Women for Health and Education (PWHE) coordinator Shoba Liban and former councillor Ismail Ali, said although they were not opposed to the projects, it was important for the investors to consult and collaborate with residents for the projects to take off.

The projects include the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor, an oil pipeline and the Isiolo Resort City.

Last week, residents of Kambi Garba stopped surveyors sent to the county to mark the areas the transport corridor will pass through.

Mrs Liban said those who will be directly affected should be given time to make decisions.

She claimed that most of the land owners in the county do not have title deeds despite living in the area for over 50 years.

Mrs Liban argued that it will be hard to find a resettlement area since most of the land is occupied by three game reserves including Shaba, Buffalo Springs and Bisanadi.

CONDUCT CIVIC EDUCATION

“We will only allow the projects to be implemented on condition that civic education will be conducted to enlighten us on what they will stand to gain from the projects,” she said.

Mr Ali, however, expressed fears that residents might lose their land to the projects without proper compensation.

He claimed that some residents were never compensated after being evicted to pave way for the construction of the Isiolo International Airport.

“We will resist any efforts by the government to proceed with the projects if our grievances will not be addressed on time,” said Mr Ali.

They asked Lapsset Corridor Development Authority Chairman Francis Muthaura to ensure the people’s representatives are included the various committees planning the projects.

Speaking at a different function, Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo said there is scanty information regarding Lapsset and Vision 2030 projects.

He urged the local community to be alert and not to allow implementation of the projects without proper consultations being made.

The governor claimed that the county has not been fully involved at the consultation stage.

“Any project done by the national government at the county level should include both the county and community leaders,” he asserted.

Mr Doyo spoke during the launch of a new fuel station in Isiolo Town on Saturday.