Taita leaders launch county headquarters at Mgeno

Taita-Taveta County Governor John Mruttu (right) and Voi MP Jones Mlolwa arrive at Mgeno village for the ground breaking ceremony for the county headquarters on April 25, 2014. Taita Taveta County will be the focus of global attention when some of the nations that were major actors in World War I converge in August to mark one century since the start of the conflict. PHOTO/LABAN WALLOGA.

What you need to know:

  • The leaders converged at the proposed Mgeno City site and officially launched it ending a protracted wrangle over where the county headquarters should be.
  • Wudanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu has been opposed to the site arguing that he had not been consulted over the matter.
  • Mr Mwadeghu said he stood by his position that there should have been further consultations before the final decision was reached.

Leaders from Taita Taveta have finally settled on Mgeno in Mwatate as the county headquarters.

The leaders converged at the proposed Mgeno City site and officially launched it ending a protracted wrangle over where the county headquarters should be.

MPs and members of the County Assembly were unanimous in their support for the project.

Governor John Mruttu presided over the ground breaking ceremony.

Wudanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu has been opposed to the site arguing that he had not been consulted over the matter.

He has also claimed that the right procedures were not followed in deciding on the headquarters.

CRITICISED MWADEGHU

Leaders have criticised Mr Mwadeghu for his opposition and called for unity among themselves.

The Wudanyi MP did not attend the ceremony while Senator Dan Mwazo who is out of the country sent a representative who expressed support for the project.

The leaders declared that they would now work together to ensure the planned Mgeno City becomes a reality before the end of their term in 2017.

They said that political wrangling had impacted negatively on development and management of resources in the county.

"Foreign investors have been having a field day as we bicker on petty issues. We must now work together and demand transparency and accountability in management of our resources and in the fight against rampant poverty in the county," said Ms Joyce Lay, the county's Women Representative.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

She asked the governor to ensure public involvement and participation in his development agenda.

Mr Mruttu and members of the county assembly, among them deputy Speaker Chrispus Tondoo, defended the choice of Mgeno saying it was at a central position and had been the "perfect choice of the people."

A leaders meeting held in Wudanyi in March 2011 resolved that Mwatate produces the county headquarters after the matter was put to a vote.

It was agreed that the people from the sub-county provide enough land that could accommodate the required infrastructure as required by the National Transitional Authority.

Friday, Mr Mruttu who was in the company of his deputy Mary Kibuka said that together with other leaders and with public involvement, they settled on the proposed Mgeno City site which sits on a 20-acre piece of land.

WORK TOGETHER

"As elected leaders in this county we need to stick to our constitutional responsibilities even as we join hands to develop it," Mr Mruttu said, giving the assurance that he would work with all the leaders.

And in reaction, Mr Mwadeghu said he stood by his position that there should have been further consultations before the final decision was reached.

He has complained that although the 2011 meeting agreed on Mwatate, it was silent about the specific site in the sub-county.

In his address, Mr Mruttu said critics of the site have not been giving alternatives.

Others at the ceremony included MPs Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) and Jones Mlolwa of Voi.

County Assembly Majority and Minority Leaders Cromwell Baridi and Ronald Sangurani, addressed the meeting and asked other leaders to rally behind the governor and develop the county.