Development plan launched amid optimism from residents

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MTPIV

The government has lined up many development projects for implementation in Marsabit County in the fourth medium term plan (MTPIV) 2023/2027 geared towards enhanced economic growth and transformation of lives.

On top of the list are projects meant to address the problem of water scarcity which remained a major challenge and priority of the county government through which livestock feedlots would be established.

The launch of the Vision 2030 plan presided over by Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki held at the Catholic Hall in Marsabit Town also underscores climate change adaptation and food security programmes which resonated well with the hundreds of participants.

Prof Kindiki said the government would continue allocating national resources across the country and cautioned against abuse of the democratic space to advocate for sectionalism and tribal politics. He termed the promotion of the one man, one vote one Kenya shilling module of revenue sharing as insincere and unpatriotic calling on politicians to shun from the debate.

While commending the media for playing an integral role in building a cohesive nation, the CS asked the local community radio operators to be cautious about politicians out to use the stations to ignite tribal animosity as the government would decisively deal with anybody engaging in hostile activities.

“We as government appreciate the role the media in this country has played in the peace building process and informing the public about the development agenda but we shall not allow ill-advised broadcasts to negate the gains made through incitement,” said Prof Kindiki while asking journalists to always strive to be professional rest they found themselves in conflict with the law.

He thanked the people of Marsabit for resolving to live in harmony, their multi-ethnic composition notwithstanding, and urged them to also continue maintaining peace with their neighbouring Ethiopians.

The CS termed the MTPIV as a major vehicle in the achievement of Vision 2030 as the set duration for the implementation of the desired development projects and programmes would be drawing to a close hence the need to use the allocated public resources prudently.

The fourth MTP under which the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is anchored has been allocated millions of shillings to fund the projects that include sinking and rehabilitation of boreholes, development of water pans, initiation of irrigation schemes, restoration of fish landing sites along the shores of Lake Turkana and the establishment of leather aggregation centres as disseminated by the PS for ASALs and Regional Development Kello Harsama.

Harsama assured the residents that the projects would be fully implemented saying that the President has ordered that only projects and programmes that could be achieved should be included in the development plan.

“President Ruto has directed that wananchi should not be given false hope and that the MTP IV should be realistic,” said the PS adding that most of the lined-up projects have been advertised and would kick off next month. In his remarks, Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali hailed the collaborative effort between the National Government and the devolved unit which he said had seen the county make big strides in development.

Governor Ali particularly commended the Kenya Kwanza administration for restoring peace and security in the hitherto ethnically volatile county adding that this has created an enabling environment for growth and transformation of lives of locals. The governor told off the advocates of the one -man-one vote-one-shilling revenue sharing formula terming it discriminatory and selfish.

The leaders planted trees within the Marsabit Catholic Church compound to mark the occasion and called on the residents to grow trees in order to help in mitigating against climate change.