Nakuru MCAs: Elevation of town to city must benefit residents

Nakuru Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have asked the county to borrow a leaf from Kisumu City to ensure the town’s transition to a city benefits residents.

A team of 31 MCAs travelled to Kisumu City for a benchmarking tour on management of the city affairs between September 18 and 22.

The tour, led by deputy Speaker Samuel Tonui, sought to study the city management and functions of city boards, solid waste management and environmental conservation.

The ward reps were also keen to learn about sustainable Blue economy and dry port. Nakuru is almost launching its first dry port in Naivasha.

DRY PORT

On Tuesday, the committee joint report which was tabled in the House, suggested a raft of recommendations to Governor Lee Kinyanjui administration.

The MCAs want the executive to conduct adequate public sensitisation on the cost benefits of elevating Nakuru town to city status.

“This is critical to ensure the he residents embrace the process,” said part of the report.  

They also want the executive to ensure project identification and implementation within the town is done transparently.

 “The MCAs from Nakuru Municipality should be involved in project identification and implementation,” added the report.

To ensure Nakuru residents do not suffer economic losses, the report suggests that their economic and social welfare should be well taken care of. 

Nakuru town is congested with unplanned makeshift stalls which are earmarked for demolition.  

EVICTIONS

With the looming evictions, the MCAs want zoning and development of the municipality to be strategic and procedural.

To make sure there is a seamless service delivery, the report wants the executive to conduct a capacity building exercise to all officers.

 “This will ensure efficiency in discharging of essential services within the city,” the report adds.

To cut on wage bill that is now running into excess of Sh6 billion, the report suggests that Governor Kinyanjui administration should come up with structures to minimise duplication of roles.

“There should be no duplication of roles between county executives and the city board. The two should forge a mutual working relationship to minimize power struggles,” reads the report.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The MCAs now want the department of environment to come up with a clear road map on waste management at Gioto dumpsite.

“Massive public sensitisation should be done to embrace sorting of waste at source which will encourage recycling and create jobs to thousands of youth,” concluded the report.

However, Rhonda Ward Rep Timothy Kabutu opposed the report and dismissed the tour of Kisumu City as a waste of public funds.

“This is a shoddy report from members who went to Kisumu. There nothing to compare between Kisumu and Nakuru. Nakuru is far much ahead of Kisumu in terms of waste management, water and firefighting machines and the visit by 31 MCAs was a waste of public resources,” said Mr Kabutu.