Sabatia chiefs to get decent offices, says MP Alfred Agoi
What you need to know:
- The woeful working situation of the local administrators was highlighted after residents began erecting mud-walled offices.
MP Alfred Agoi acknowledged delay in building offices, saying much of the CDF funds had been directed towards education.
- Chiefs in the constituency wake up early in the morning to a queue of waiting villagers at their door.
Chiefs in Sabatia, Vihiga County, who have been offering government services to locals from their homes, will soon get offices.
The woeful working situation of the local administrators was highlighted by the Nation on March 22, 2018, after residents began erecting them mud-walled offices.
Local CDF officials have now announced that beginning July, the construction of decent offices for chiefs and their assistants will commence.
Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi said he is aware of the chiefs’ plight and assured them decent offices will be put up.
The lawmaker acknowledged delay in building offices, saying much of the CDF funds had been directed towards education.
SCHOOLS
“The kitty is currently funding the construction of a Sh250 million school to house Moi Girls Vokoli that is set to relocate to pave way for the establishment of a university college.
“The kitty that receives Sh100 million every financial year is also funding the construction of Sh50 million Sabatia Technical Training Institute at Lotego,” said Mr Agoi
The MP also said some of the money had gone into construction of offices for the 12 chief's in the constituency, adding the work is almost complete.
The Nation has learnt that each office will cost Sh500,000 and is likely cost the taxpayer up to Sh18 million as about 36 offices are required in all the sub-locations in the constituency.
Mr Agoi said: "We were constructing offices for chiefs first and this is almost complete. The second phase targets assistant chiefs and it will begin in the next financial year, 2018/19."
Last month, the plight of the chiefs was brought to public attention by the Nation team which found assistant Chief Fred Adika serving a crowd of people in his house.
VOLUNTEERED
The locals of Kedoli sub-location had arrived early at his Hakerongo home seeking to be served by the government official.
Mr Adika said he wakes up early in the morning to a queue of waiting villagers at his door, a routine common in the homes of the other assistant chiefs in the constituency.
He said the administrators made proposals for funding from CDF two years ago and they are still waiting for a response.
“My colleagues and I are forced to work from our homes or the chiefs’ offices in Govoga and Chamakanga which are far from most of the people we serve,” said Mr Adika, who is also the acting assistant Chief of Itegero sub-location.
Locals felt this state of affairs was denying them key services and they decided to construct a mud-walled office for Mr Adiga. They contributed iron sheets, nails, poles and labour, to the chagrin of elected leaders who are now promising to act.
