Garissa Governor publicly shames officials over road reserve encroachment

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama before the Senate CPAC over audit queries at Bunge Tower, Nairobi, on Sept 3, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama publicly summoned four national government officers to explain what they have done about what he termed as the "serious encroachment" of road reserves.

Speaking on Tuesday at the county assembly during the opening of a new building, the governor called upon officials from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Roads Board (KRB), and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to explain what their respective departments are doing about the matter.

A KURA official, identified only as Okello, said they had issued a one-month notice to all individuals who had encroached onto road reserves. He added that once the notice period expired, all structures would be removed.

KeNHA engineer Franklin Kipyator said that they had carried out sensitisation activities from Modika to Madogoo Junction, issuing a one-month notice to the affected communities. He added that they were waiting for the contractor to begin beautification works.

"We asked for collaboration and guidance. We will work with all stakeholders to ensure the town is fit for the people of Garissa," he said.

Governor Jama noted that, although he had no issue with KeRRA, he expected them to focus on roads in rural areas.

The Regional Director for KRB said that while they do not implement projects for other agencies, they provide oversight and funding. He added that these agencies were facing challenges related to encroachment and blocked drainage systems.

"When we provide funding, the agencies are expected to submit their work plans. I will discuss with my team to ensure corridor management is included in the plans," he said.

The governor stated that once the KURA notice expires, he would personally oversee the demolition of all shanties on the road reserves, lamenting that the town had become unplanned and disorganised.

"When the time comes, I do not want to hear any noise. No one is going to intimidate me with court cases because I am used to it," said the governor.

He noted that some people had taken him to court during the construction of a stadium on Garissa Primary School land, but the project was still ongoing.

"You cannot encroach on a road reserve and then run to court. We will demolish the structures first, and then you can take me to court," he added.

However, stall owners operating in the affected areas urged the governor to provide them with alternative spaces to conduct their businesses.

"We are operating here because we have nowhere else to go. The governor should be sensitive to the needs of the hundreds of people who rely on these businesses to earn a living," said Abdirahman Ahmed, a kiosk owner.

Garissa Human Rights Network Chairman, Muktar Dahir Osman, criticised the governor and the county administration, claiming they were responsible for the current situation.

He alleged that the municipality had issued permits allowing businesses to operate on the road reserves and argued that the county should offer alternative spaces for those affected.

"The county should put its house in order before evicting innocent people. Why were permits issued in the first place?" he asked.