Green Garissa better than waste project

By Mike Owour

Even though residents of Garissa are known to be pastoralists, Mr Hussein Shukri says some have taken "a bold step" by turning to small-scale farming on the shores of Tana River.

"They cultivate the land and feed many residents. The farming also helps some to pay school fees for their children," says Shukri, who adds that this is in line with the Government’s plan to encourage irrigation.

But, he notes, all these gains could vanish if plans for a waste management project go on. This, he says, is "disheartening, shameful and unacceptable".

"Government officials in Garissa have reportedly been allocated the land. But what will happen since farmers also have allotment letters, title deeds and other documents to show ownership?" he wonders.

Shukri suggests that instead of allowing productive land to be taken over, Agriculture Minister William Ruto and his Water counterpart Charity Ngilu should ensure the waste management project is relocated to "the many acres of bare land".

"It does not make sense to, for example, cut down mango trees that feed hundreds of families to give way for a project that does not need fertile land," he says