Stop harassing poor mothers, Garissa women rep tells off county Government

By Musa Bashir

Garissa County Woman representative Udgoon Siyad has faulted a decision by the county to demolish structures built along Kismayu road  in Garissa town which are used by small scale traders.

The exercise that was carried out a week ago by the county government and which has left close to 500 traders affected is in readiness for road expansion works by the Kenya National Highway Authority[KENHA].

According to the woman representative ,while she was not against road expansion and development projects being done in the area, the manner in which the exercise was carried was wrong.

Mrs Siyad who was speaking at the Garissa county offices after distributing umbrellas, potato chips frying machines and display boxes said that majority of the affected women were poor mother who were struggling to get a living.

“I want to make it very clear that as a leader I am not in anyway against development or road expansion for that matter. What I am against is he manner in which the whole exercise was carried out. Waking up and demolishing structures of these poor mothers without giving the alternative places to sell their merchandise is not right,” she said.

She added: “The right to was would have been for the county to get  these mothers alternative places and relocate them before embarking on such a mission. We all know that the economy is doing badly and majority of these women are bread winners in their families. some of them are taking care of orphans and these you do this, it was wrong,”.

Udgoon said that she will continue engaging the county administration with a view of finding a lasting solution that will see the affected traders relocated to places where they can continue doing their business without having to worry.

Adhey Dakane who spoke on behalf of affected traders said that those affected were mostly  vegetable and Miraa traders.

“These people you see selling along the roads are merely struggling to get something small to feed their families. Unfortunately we only woke one day with no explanation or word from the county who proceeded to demolish our structures and destroy our products. We want to thank the office of the women representative for coming to our rescue,” she said.

The women representative who also distributed storage  water tanks to secondary schools that will be used to harvest water during the rainy season.

She said it was disheartening to see the rainwater racing to waste when the same can be put into good use calling on the county to also chip in assist residents with water tanks and storage facilities that will come in handy during drought period.

“Water is a critical factor in livestock farming and food production, and the adoption of water management practices, such as rainwater harvesting, can help ensure that our animals do not suffer during drought periods like has been the case before,” she said.

She called on the county ensure that there is proper drainage system especially with the anticipated heavy rains that might as a result lead to flooding.

The town has been grappling with increased solid waste that has ended up being a health hazard to residents.

The most common types of waste include food packaging, bottles, cans, plastic bags, paper and tobacco products which clog drainage systems, causing flooding during the rainy seasons.