A group of nomadic herdsmen from North Eastern (NE) region nearly marred a devolution meeting on the border of Kitui and Tana River counties that was convened to kick off devolution torch initiated by the Council of Governors (CoG). Governors Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Abdullahi Ahmed (Wajir) were forced to call off a meeting at Katumba area on Mwingi-Garissa highway after irate herders forced their way on the dais.
The nomads were apparently angered by the presence of Wajir Governor alleging that there are plans with the Kitui county leadership to extend the border and displace them.
Governor Ahmed tried in vain to cool the rising tension in the Somali dialect, but the herders paid deaf ear prompting him to hurriedly hand over the devolution torch to Governor Malombe. In the last two months, tension has been high in the area leading to conflict between herders and the locals over diminishing water and pasture.
“Need to strengthen devolution should not be over emphasised as Kenyans areas have felt the impact of devolution as services have been taken close to them,” said Malombe.
He said his government has initiated over 4000 life changing projects and given support, it will realize enormous development but this can be made possible if the senate and the national assembly enacted laws aimed at strengthening devolved governments.
Malombe lauded the devolution caravan which he said will enable the people across the 47 counties to appreciate fruits of devolution. Ahmed governors will unite in the crackdown to 2017 elections to ensure that peaceful elections are held devoid of conflict since electioneering process is an important exercise that should be handled diligently.
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