News & Events

The Chairperson Committee on Public Investment and Accounts Hon. Christopher Mwambingu has today sought a Statement from the Chairperson, Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operative Development on the construction of the new modern market in Mwatate.

Hon. Mwambingu said the World Bank in partnership with the County Government is set to construct a new market worth Ksh. 30 million in Mwatate Municipality.

The Legislator said that traders have rejected the County government move to relocate them to unknown area in a bid to pave way for construction.

“Mr. Speaker, there is a likelihood that traders will suffer as result of relocation because they don’t know the alleged proposed site they Executive intends to take them to. We can’t sit and watch our people undergo untold suffering like what happened to traders in Wundanyi. We will at all cost resist such plans,” warned Hon. Mwambingu.

He said the Municipality should consider the growth of the town by exploring land at Singila Majengo and other areas other than concentrating with only one place.

Hon. Mwambingu asked the Chairperson, Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operative Development and his Lands, Human – Wildlife Conflict Resolution counterpart to furnish the House with satisfactory information on the following :
Wether the alleged Ksh. 30 million project is factual.
Whether the traders will be evicted from the current market and plans the two departments have to acquire land in Singila Majengo since the area is accessible and sub division exercise is currently underway.

Werugha bar operators have decried arbitrary closure of bars without notice by the County Executive.

In a Petition sent to the County Assembly, the bar owners said they are unable to service loans, pay rent, school fees and carter for family needs since their businesses were closed down on 29th January, 2020.

Majority Leader, Hon. Jason Tuja, who is also the area Member of County Assembly has said the move by the Executive is uncalled for and it has adversely affected other businesses including hotels and butcheries to a point of causing economic standoff in the area.

“Mr. Speaker, these bars have been operating since the year 1973 and the owners have been engaging in legal trade. They have been earning a living through these bars and closing them without notice is unfortunate,” said Hon Tuja.

Hon. Tuja expressed fears that the traders will continue languishing in poverty if the closure notice will not be lifted.

He asked the Chairperson, Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operative Development to take up the matter with the seriousness it deserves by inviting the Executive department in charge to shed light on the subject raised by petitioners.

Hon. Godwin Kilele, MCA, Sagalla termed the move by the Executive unfair since the traders have been undertaking legal trade and are licensed.

Member of County Assembly (MCA) Hon. Abraham Juma has sought a statement from the Chairperson Committee on Lands and Human Wildlife Conflict on provision of original maps for Sagalla and Rukanga ranches.

Hon. Juma stated that the two ranches have a boundary row with the neighbouring Kasighau community expressing fears that the community risked being ejected from their ancestral land.

The Legislator affirmed that Sagalla ranch borders Mikamenyi, Gwaravindi, Kisimenyi -Matangini, Kale, and Kabombora villages while Rukinga ranch formerly known as Mayors ranch borders Sasenyi, Mwagwede and Makwasinyi villages.

“Mr. Speaker, these villagers have always lived in the above mentioned villages. It is shocking that the two ranches are now undertaking a survey in the various villages bordering the ranches claiming that the villagers have encroached into the ranches,” said Hon Juma.

He said the villagers are forced to part with Ksh. 200 for each head of cattle claimed to have trespassed the ranches, a fee which is unjustified and meant to subject the villagers into abject poverty.

The MCA asked the Chairperson of the relevant Committee to get in touch with the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Lands to halt the ongoing survey exercise until the issue is resolved amicably and at the same time present the original maps to the County Assembly for scrutiny.

The Chairpeson Public Investment and Accounts Committee (PIC and PAC) Hon. Christopher Mwambingu echoed Hon. Juma’s sentiments and said that land issues in the County are emotive hence should be given top priority.

Hon. Mwambingu said Kasighau residents have suffered land injustices in the past thus exposing them to land tussles which has left a number of residents landless.

The County Assembly Speaker, Hon. Maganga M. Maghanga asked the Chairperson, Committee on Lands and Human Wildlife Conflict to furnish the House with a report on the issues sought in a bid to avert future crisis in the expanse.