the participatory budgeting process

1YOUTH LEAD PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS

KA JIADO COUNTYYOUTH N E TWORK

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2 YOUTH LEAD PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS

Kajiado County is one of the 47 devolved units of government in the republic of Kenya. In enhancing the spirit of public participation

in devolution, Kajiado Voices Youth Organization took the responsibility of engaging the members of the public in understanding the process of budgeting at community level. This project has increased transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs. The process began with collection of critical information to inform better decision making in the governance structures of the county government of Kajiado.

As a result of the participatory planning and budgeting process, deployment of resources will be done efficiently as long as the public keeps their pressure up with the information acquired.

In any development, decisions made without the basis of facts and evidence and with disregard to the community participation might lead to deploying resources which will end up not benefiting the people and no impact achieved.

Article 196 of the constitution of Kenya provides for participatory county management processes. After the general elections, the country has switched on to the new decentralized system of governance. For poverty eradication to be achieved, concerted efforts must be put in place to ensure the people are involved in decision making on priorities that address their challenges at community level. There is no doubt about the decisive role public awareness and original ideas play in the fight against poverty.

This newsletter is intended to provide highlights of activities that have taken place in Kajiado County that involve the publics in planning, budgeting, legislation and prioritization of issues in all the administrative wards of the county.

This issue highlights how the process took place and the impact it has achieved. The newsletter also sights other challenges that the county is facing and how they will be addressed using public participation methodologies if deployed by the county government.

Public participation in county governance and development is aimed at the overall goal of improving development outcomes by involving local communities in decision-making process and management of projects for impact.

The activities highlighted and information gathered was achieved through interactive and participatory methodologies at the very core of the grassroots in Kajiado County.

It is hoped that with continued community engagement, the residents of Kajiado will begin to realize and feel the resources allocated for development of their county reaching them through both services delivery for the betterment of their livelihoods. Devolved and inclusive development programs are an effective approach for reducing poverty by enabling grassroots community involvement in the identification and implementation of core priority projects.

This newsletter is aimed to assisting the residents of the county in taking an evidence-based and participatory approach towards addressing the living standards and challenges facing Kajiado County.

FOREWORD


KAJIADO COUNTY

Description of the CountyThe Kajiado County is made up of five constituencies namely Kajiado North, Central, South, East and Kajiado West.

THE GOVERNOR WELCOMES THE INITIATIVEBefore his election, the Governor of the County of Kajiado, H.E. Dr. Nkedieny, participated in all the participatory planning meetings that were convened during the period preceding the General Elections. Dr. Nkedieny used the opportunity to sell his vision for the county and commitment to support the work of youth and see to it that the youth of Kajiado County are empowered through their various initiatives.


THE PEOPLE DECIDE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES IN CONSTITUENCIES

KAJIADO NORTH CONSTITUENCY

With a population of 196,764 people in an area of 148 Km

squared, Kajiado North has Five wards namely; Ongata

Rongai with population of 44,675, Nkaimurunya with

population of 55,406, Ngong with population of 18,091,

Oloolua with population of 33,754 and Olkeri with

population of 43,820.

Kajiado North is the smallest geographically but also the most populated of all, the most metropolitan constituency within the county. Blended with diverse cultures, ethnic communities and mixed way of life. This region has major shopping centers along Magadi road on the west is Ngong town, Matasia, Kiserian, Rimpa, Nkoroi, Kware and Ongata Rongai on the east is while Embulbul and Olepolos is on the north.

Development Priorities;

The process began with leaders visiting the five wards within the constituency for meetings with group leaders.

The participants in the process included a diverse representation of the young, aged, women, professionals, people with disability, government officials, civil society groups, aspirants, religious leaders among others.

The participants were educated on the structure of the county as per the new constitution and clear step by step explanation on the offices and the county governance.

The meetings were people driven and motivated by the real needs within the Masai community.

The meetings were also attended by various aspirants for political position in the 2013 general elections. The aspirants made it a platform to be engaged on their agenda with the priorities in retrospect.

The forum helped many who had little or no idea on the right direction through active engagement in the discussions.

At the end of the process the participants actively voted for the priorities they felt were more urgent to the least urgent.

Issues identified

Infrastructure: The infrastructure in Kajiado north is in serious need of being restructured. Lighting and social amenities are inadequate compared to the population it holds. Its development faces serious planning challenges. Mounds of garbage have become common. Unplanned informal businesses are mushrooming at an alarming rate.

Traffic jams in Rongai and Ngong are caused by lack of a properly planned road network. Only one bitumen standard road serves the entire population of Rongai. Existing unpaved roads are too narrow to allow free flow of traffic and are also. There is also a lack of enforcement of urban by-laws.

There is need to improve the general infrastructure of the constituency. The road networks need to be expanded. Street lighting should also be installed as this would greatly help to forestall crime. Enforcement of by-laws especially physical planning should also be fast tracked.

Water and Sanitation: Majority of the ward lack public water line as such the populace rely on private boreholes for their water and sanitation needs.

There are no sewer lines and those that exist have been clogged. During the rainy season, sewage flows all over exposing the residents to serious health hazards. Mounds of garbage have accumulated in all the major urban centers within the constituency.

Residents have prioritized provision of water and drainage facilities as key in the development and the well-being of the constituency. Improvement of water services and sanitation will reduce sewer related diseases; protect the environment and the ecosystem.

Residents pointed out that public toilets and septic tanks should be built expeditiously in high population density areas of Kware, Mathare and Ngong markets.

Security: Security creates a free environment to live in as well as for business to thrive. It is also a catalyst for socio-economic development.

H.E. Dr. Nkedieny during one of the meetings


The major causes for insecurity are poverty and unemployment. Insecurity in the constituency ranges from petty crimes to organized crimes. This insecurity has affected business as well as seen many people move out of kajiado north.

Most police stations within the constituency are poorly equipped and with few police officers.

The residents recommended that new police posts should be opened in all the wards for quick response to security breaches. Police patrols should be increased within the estates. In addition effort should be made to revive community policing. Residents pointed out the areas of Kenugu, memusi, kangawa, gataka, juakali, karero, tumaini/rongai, kenol/ronghai as requiring urgent security intervention.

Economic Issues: Kajiado north constituency has many households with limited sources of income to meet their food, shelter, and health needs. Poverty, hunger and starvation have led to the increase in many social problems in the community.

Small scale farming and the trade of agricultural goods, mainly horticultural crops, are the principle sources of income for most households in the area. Most of this small scale horticultural farming and trading is done by women, who grow vegetables and other crops for home consumption and for sale in the local shopping centers. These women agricultural traders lack the skills to produce and sell their crops in a profitable and environmentally sustainable way.

The main cause of poverty in the location is the lack of information and skills by the community to march resources to meet their needs. The community members, especially the

women and youth have limited access to financial education, credit, technical expertise and business opportunities to meet their basic needs, food, shelter and healthcare. To combat poverty, hunger and starvation the residents proposed sustainable income generation activities such as intensive urban community organic farming, green houses for the youths as well as training on financial education and the provision of credit facilities to the youth and women.Health: Good health standards reduces mortality rates, improves quality of life as well as improves productivity and economic growth.

The constituency lacks a maternity hospital, and a mortuary. The dispensaries services are limited and often are short of drugs. Residents prioritized construction of more health facilities and that the existing ones should be upgraded and increase health personnel.

Education: Education improves literacy as well as the standard of life. It also reduces ignorance improve security as well as job creation. It also creates independence.

Residents prioritized creation of more schools, reinstating the art subjects, building of tertiary and technical institutions and development of adult education. This should be done in all the wards.Public Land Audit: The residents pointed out that most of the public land earmarked as public land had been grabbed. This land was vital as it was necessary for community development.

The residents recommended a land audit of all public land. Any public land found to have been grabbed should be repossessed. Those who have grabbed the land should be compelled to return and legal measures be taken against them.

Hon. Peris Tobiko consulting after one of the meetings


KAJIADO SOUTH

Kajiado South Constituency is also known as Loitoktok

Constituency. It is one of three constituencies in Kajiado

County. The constituency was established for the 1963

elections. The entire area of the constituency is located

in Olkejuado county council. The total population is

137,476.

TKajiado South Constituency is comprised of the Kimana ward, Mbirikani ward, Kuku ward, Entonet ward, and Rombo ward.

The general assembly was attended by 170 participants from the 5 Wards.

The priorities for Kajiado South constituency are water, roads, hospitals, schools, Human Wild Life Conflict, town planning, development of Talent Academies, Job creation.

The following are some of the challenges and priorities identified;

Human Wildlife Conflict: The human wildlife conflict cut across Entonet, Mbirikani and Rombo wards as they are located on the presincts of Amboseli and Tsavo national parks respectively. The residents recommended the development of an electric fence to prevent animals from destroying crops and livestock.

The residents also pointed out that farming areas of Kalesirua and Esambu should be protected. The Kenya Wild Life compensation docket needs proper policing in the whole constituency while Migration corridors should be clearly marked in order to minimize the interference of the wildlife migration routes and to ensure the residents also gain from the income the national parks are generating from tourism as a way of corporate social responsibility from the KWS Management.

Impassable Roads: Most roads are impassable and

farmers find it hard to transport their product to the market. During rainy seasons the roads became impassible. All the roads need to be graveled.

Long Distances to Health Facilities: In Kimana ward for example, except Kimana Health, Namelok Dispensary, Oldonyo oibor dispensary which are located far away from each other. Community members from other places travel long distances to seek for Health services. The three are located in Kimana Location.

It was recommended for a dispensary to be constructed at Enkariak, Ronkena Location in Kimana ward, Eselenkei and Imbarikani and a health center in Olandi and Lemasusu.

Water from Tanzania: Water is piped all the way from the neighbouring Tanzania. It was recommended that water from Nolturesh should be supplied to parts of the contituency since it is the only reliable source of water in Loitokitok.

Town Planning: The residents recommended proper planning for all the centers within Loitokitok, mainly Kimana, Rombo and Loitokitok towns.

The towns should have the following as a priority: car park, cemetery, police station street lighting, Sewage system, stadium, and Administrative offices to cater for all the services.

Security: This is a very important priority for development growth. It should be supported by security officers to all sub location within the constituency as it borders Tanzania as such matters of porous borders should be prioritized to secure the residents for peaceful co-existence.

Electricity lines should be put up in Isinet – Kalesirua – Imbirikani line; Kalesirua – Ilchalai via Esambu; Emali – Imbirikani to help in the limestone project in Emukutan which is a major income earner in the ward; Eselenkei – seems an Isolated place interms of basic required services.

Schools

Primary School: Teachers and facility equipment are the only required resources in Primary schools.An additional school is required in Eselenkei ward.Secondary School: A boy’s school in Isinet area, a secondary school in Olandi, and Orbilli.

Tertiary Institutions: A polytechnic or a college in Imbirikani, Eselenkei and a technical institute in Orbili.

Social Services: The following arethe social services that were recommended by the residents; Cattle Dips in Imbirikani, Orng’osua and Olandi. Farmer’s Extension Services in Isinet, Kalesirua, and Esambu/Ilchalai areas.

A Group discussion to identify the priorities


The other relevant aspects pointed out were

Leadership: Group ranches should be addressed and if land subdivision is the best option it should be done immediately.

KAJIADO CENTRAL PRIORITIESWater: There is a big shortage of water especially in terms of distribution. Some parts of the constituency have more water sources than others. The design of the water sourcing has also been primarily for livestock consumption. There is very little effort done to supply water to household s and only done in the market centers of Maparasha and Bissil. The main public water sources include: 11 boreholes, 5 water holes, 5 springs and Olkeriai rivers. There are also wells at. Nkayieyio.

Reccommendations were given to onstruct big water dams across the major seasonal rivers. The dams can be located at Illmarba (Demming ilmarba river) between lorngoswa and ilmotional slamming – river) Damming Ngatatuek river Damming Olkejuado river near Maparasha. The dams if put in place, they can sustain water supply to the whole ward.

Health: There is one health centre (level 3) at Bissil and 6 dispensaries (level 2). In total there are 18 Nurses (10 at Bissil Health Centre) and 1 clinical officer at Bissil health center. There are 2 lab technicians both at Bissil, One physiotherapist at Bassil one Nutritionist at Bissil and 3 Public health officers manning the whole ward.

Land: Land is a very crucial and sensitive resource. In Matapato North Ward, there are private ranches, Public lands town areas and group ranches which need to be utilized and controlled. There is a craze in the sale of land in the area. The land control board has been rocked by corruption to where land is being hawked and sold un-procedurally. Land board members are accused of being compromised and only meet to make minutes of land which is already sold.

Public lands have been sub divided into plots. Ilbissil Township Primary school is one such example. Plots are being dished out by authorities like personal property. There is no transparency in issuing of land in group ranches due to various discrepancies: in equal shares relocating from original parcels, omissions from registers, allocation of land to non members etc.

To address the situation, it was recommended that conduct an audit of all land sold to ascertain whether due procedure was followed; Conduct an audit of land allocation in group ranches to ensure equal share in allocation; ensure all encroachers on public land are moved out; Establish a procedure to be followed in allocation of plots.

Infrastructure: The major roads which crisscross the constituency include:-

Bissil – Maparasha – Emoteroki – Emashini –oldapoi; Bissil – llparttimaro – llmarba; Ng’atataek – Lesoit; Ngatatack –Mopia; The main Nairobi – Namanfga High way.

Electricity has only been supplied to Bissil, Ngatateck and Maparasha.

The remote parts of Emotoroki, Letoire, Emashiriki, Lansura, Llmotion, llmarba llpartimaro are not covered by mobile phone network.

Reccommendations: Apart from the Nairobi – Namanga Highway all the other roads require improvement.

Expand all the feeder roads to accommodate oncoming a two way traffic; Murram the roads properly to ensure they are all weather; Make bridges and culverts to make the roads passable during the rainy season; Expand mobile network to all parts of the wards to assist enhance communication and security and Extend electricity to elmotion, lolngosua, Elmarba, Ilpartmaro, Emotoroki, Emashini and eldapai.


Security: There is a lot of insecurity at ilmarba, lorngosua, ilmpotik and maparasha area. There is net to set up to set up police posts at ilmotio,lorngosua, ilmarba, ngatateck, Emotoroki, oldarpoi and Emashini. There is a need to upgrade Bissil police post to a full fledge police station. Bassil police station should be provided with a well serviced vehicle.

KAJIADO WEST CONSTITUENCY PRIORITIES Kajiado west has a population of 104,376 people on an area of 8,387 km squared. It’s made of five wards namely;

1. Magadi ward has a population of 11,832 on an area of 2010.60 km square. This ward has 12 sub locations namely: Magadi, Olkeri, Oloika, Shompole, Pakase, Lenkobei, Olkiramatian, Oldonyio-oyokie, Nkurman, Entasopia, Musenge and; oldorko.

2. Iloodokilani ward with a population of 11,832 people on an area of 385.50 km squared. It’s made of 7 sub locations namely; Torosei, Kora, Kilonito, Elangata wuas, Toroka, Ilmukutani and; Singiraine.

3. Ewuaso ookidong ward has a population of 27,182 people on an area of 2007.10km square. It has 9 sub locations namely; Ewuaso ookidongi, Eremit, Olgumi, Enkiushin, Enkorika, Saikeri, Kimuka, Olosho-oibor and; Ikipikoni6.70km squared.

4. Mosiro ward which is the smallest has a population of 5,692 people on an area of 486.70km squared and is made of 3 sub locations namely; Emparbal, Oldorko mosiro and Oldepe.

5. The largest ward is ilkeekoyokie ward with a population of 36,562 in an area of 807km square. It has nine sub locations namely; Olteyani, Naserian, Kisamis, Oltepesi, Esonorua, Kisaju, Iloodoariak, Kipeto and; Oloyiankalani.

The community assembly in the constituency gathered leaders aspiring for governors’ seats and county assembly representatives.

The whole constituency voted for the priorities as listed below;

1. Infrastructure [roads and communication network]

2. Water3. Education4. Health5. Public land audit

6. Security7. Wildlife Human conflict8. Food security9. Market10. Disaster preparedness11. Social responsibilities12. Audit of public lands and finances

Education: Kajiado west faces education hardship due to few schools and lack of the necessary facilities in the few available schools. Primary schools are in remote areas and have poorly constructed classes. Some do not even have desks for pupils to sit on e.g in Torosei area of Loodokilani ward some nursery school children are taught sitting on stones.

Secondary schools are few e.g Paterson Secondary in Magadi Ward, Ewaso Girls, Kimuka Girls, Ilgaronj Boys and Najile Boys in Ewuaso Ward. Olooseos girls, Loodariak boys and Baraka girls in keekonyokie ward. Apart from Baraka girls, the rest of the schools have constantly underperformed in the district scale academically scoring very low mean scores. The schools have poor infrastructure insufficient staff which has contributed to the poor academic performance in the education sector.

There is generally a poor distribution of schools in the constituency. E.g Kajiado west have five wards, Mosiro and Loodokilani wards don’t have a single secondary school.

The big challenge lies in primary schools. Most of them have been performing dismally which pose a challenge in the transition level between primary and secondary schools. This has led to many children dropping out of school due to low marks that can’t secure a place in any secondary school. Schools are long distances apart and poorly distributed leading to a school serving a radius of about 20km and more which contributes to poor education as children are forced to grow up to an age of 12years so as to be able to walk the long distances. School drop outs, early pregnancies and marriages while boys become full grown Morans when still in primary school. Some grow up to be rebellious before completing school.

Girl child education is frustrated by poor retrogressive cultural practices like FGM and early marriages.

Land: The land issue is a great challenge in kajiado west just like in the case of the whole county. Land disputes, land selling and land grabbing are some of the challenges in Kajiado west. Ngong hills land has marked with a great conflict for the past 10 years between the community living in the area in conflict with the Kenya Forest Service. The community has tried unsuccessfully to get title deeds for the land while the KFS has periodically sent threats of eviction. The case is Court thus the community has been waiting on the government to intervene for the


longest time with no success on what the community believes as the ancestral land.

KFS has planted a million trees in Ngong hills reducing all the grazing areas for livestock which has continued to cause a lot of conflict. An issue that requires urgent resolution before blowing out of proportion. KENGEN has also erected wind mills on the hill without consulting the community while there are complaints of locals not being employed to benefit from the project. The community is recommending proper community consultations to be done and an MOU signed with clear direct benefits of the project to the community.

Mosiro has a historic land conflict involving people without title deeds. Community conflicts have also arisen between Keekonyokie and the Purko has a historic unclear ownership by which keekonyokie are accusing the purko of settling on their land illegally. Loodokilani are threatening to evict the Purko from Musenke claiming it belongs to Loodokilani. There is need for resolution of the conflict in the three communities before the situation gets out of hand.

Olooseos land issue: the society land has remained undeveloped for years due to a number of challenges including lack of title deeds. This case is similar to that of Kibiko which was settled recently by the government issuing a title deed to the community.

Veterinary land; This was a community land that still doesn’t have a title deed and yet some other communities are settling on the same piece of land claiming possession. It is suspected that big moneyed tycoons and government agents have grabbed the land due to its prime locality.

Magadi Soda Company Land Lease: Magadi Soda company has been on lease since independence. It is believed that the lease was renewed recently with a local agreement between the local community and the foreign company. The agreement has kept the community out of any reasonable benefits. The locals have only been employed as casual laborers

with low salaries. The community recommends that the agreement should be reviewed and harmonized to benefit all the stakeholders including the local maasai. It was also recommended that at least 15% of the total profit revenue from the company should be retained in the county to benefit the community around the company area.Infrastructure: Roads: kajiado west has 1% tarmac road. Only two roads have Tarmac i.e. Magadi, Kiserian and Isinya road. These two roads are in very poor condition and are almost impassable. Ngong–Euwuaso road is non-existence and only passable to Lorries and huge land rover but not small cars. Mosiro is a complete tragedy in terms of road network. The roads are completely impassable especially during rainy seasons.

There exists a railway line that serves magadi to kajiado town.

Electricity is only in major town in the constituency that have electricity. The rural homesteads are without electricity.

Water: Availability of clean water is a key challenge. People have relied on untreated river water and dams. Clean water for both human and livestock is rarely available that results in a competition between human livestock and even wildlife.

Kajiado west is generally a remote constituency with an arid/semi arid climatic condition. There are no water catchment areas in Kajiado west which has led to locals resulting in constructing dams for harvesting rain water which is used by both livestock and humans. Others rely on seasonal rivers which eventually dry up after a month or two. People are forced to walk long distances for the search of water.

Health: Health is a great threat due to poor sanitation and untreated water consumption. Dispensaries are few and not equipped with medicine and nurses. There are no Dispensaries and clinics for mothers. This has led to mothers giving birth on roads before reaching the far maternal hospital in the neighboring constituency of Kajiado North.


Tourism: Tourism is a resource and a service that can be well exploited in the constituency. This industry has remained unexploited for years. This can be due to lack of information, illiteracy and ignorance. The Ololkisalie historical site which is one of the worlds’s known archeological site with unique archeological evidences. This site has remained partially dormant for decades. Ngurman conservancy on the border of Loita has a good botanical site with unique plant species that is in Naimina Enkiyio forest. Ngong hills is a tourist attraction site but has never been adequaltely managed to attract revenue to the county. Measures should be put in place to tap on resources from the tourists that frequent it as a geographical site with the presence of the Mountain Buffallows.

Investing on the culture is also a means of attracting Tourists, this is not limited to Kajiado west but also in the whole county. Beadwork is another possible field for economic boom for the community.

Reccommendations

Land: Develop Land policies e.g. restriction on the number of acreage of land that one can sell; the differences between agricultural land and land used for urban development; Clear definition and demarcation of town boundaries formulated so as not to encroach to agricultural land; definition of private public and community land.

Education: schools should be upgraded and supplied with modern facilities to enable the county to compete with other counties in Kenya. A clear system should be formulated while implementing the later to ensure that we do not upgrade school and discredit the community by setting standards not archiverble.eg the recent upgrading of Oloolaiser High School now in kajiado north led to a complete fall down in number of students from the remote primaries of Kajiado west attaining the pass mark to join the school. Increase number of schools to reduce the radius of an average of 20km. Secondary schools should be supplied with sufficient qualified staff. Build one secondary school per ward.

Roads: Quick actions should be taken to construct a clear road network for smooth transport and development all over the county so as to open the constituency for development.

Health: Build a dispensary per ward and a clinic for mothers at least in some of the major town in kajiado west.

Water: Access to clean water is one of the constitutional rights to every Kenyan. Boreholes should be drilled giving priority to the most remote areas. Other facilities e.g. rural electrification

should be considered in a phase of time and within time limits.

KAJIADO EAST CONSTITUENCYThe meeting in Kajiado East took place in Sultan Hamud. The size of Kajiado East Constituency is approximately 4785.0 Km2 stretching from Oloosirkon Location of Isinya division to Merrueshi Location of Mashuuru division. The length of the constituency is approximately 200km. This is attributed to the immigration of people from the city of Nairobi and other parts of the country. Security and availability of land has been the main attraction. The numbers are bound to increase in the near future due lack of open space in Nairobi and other peripheral towns. It is made up of 2 divisions and 10 locations. The main natural resources in the area are as follows;

The Kaputiei plains which is part of the great Wildlife dispersal area for the Nairobi National Park, supports biodiversity in an environment that is both culturally and socio-economically friendly. Supports local livestock based livelihoods and a community that is historically cohesive and peaceful.

National parks- Kaputiei rangelands is ecologically integral to the survival of the Nairobi National Park ecosystem that links hordes of migrating Wildlife to the Amboseli and the Kyulu game reserve.

Mobility of people and livestock is a central tenet of pastoralist culture with far reaching social and cultural implications, it is an essential component in the production system, a natural response to pasture and resource availability both in quality and quantity. Helps to enhance social ties and build long lasting social networks which enhance social cohesion, peace and prosperity.


Issues in the Constituency

Means Of Communication: The road network in the Kajiado East constituency is generally poor. There is no a single tarmacked road in the area except for a small distance covered by the great north road leading to Tanzania and the newly constructed Emali-Loitokitok road. This has rendered communication and provision of services in the area poor. There is therefore an urgent need to develop the road network in order to enhance the pace of socio-economic development, a need that the Kajiado East Constituency participatory budgeting assembly participants identified. This poor road network has inhibited other development and service delivery as follows.Among key roads that cuts across the constituency that require urgent attention according to the assembly are as follows:- Isinya – Konza Road (Marrum road); Kajiado – Mashuuru Road (Marrum road); Kitengela - Kajiado Road (Great North road); Kiserian – Isinya Road (Tarmacked); Sultan Hamud/Arroi – Maashuuru Road (Earth road); Korrompoi – Ilmamen – Kiu Road (Earth road); and Rongai – Kitengela Road (Earth road)

Inhabitants of Kajiado East constituency are mostly pastoralists living in the Kaputiei Plains and Rangelands. The Kaputiei plains and rangelands support both livestock production and wildlife conservation.

Key to the interest of the citizens in the assembly includes the need to protect their heritage in the following ways: -

Shared language, the Kaputiei dialect, toi instead of doi.; Shared cultural practices e.g. Eunoto, Imanyatt, Olng’esherr, Isirito; Shared socio-economic lifestyle which is pastoral nomadism.

A cohesive cosmopolitan population living in urban centers of Isinya, Kitengela, Masimba and Isara among other urban settlements see need for land use planning and urban upgrading, to include sewage and security.

The priorities were voted for the constituency as follows; Land Use planning; Water; Roads and communication network]; Education; Health; Security; Markets.

OTHER NEWS

MEETING WITH CDF COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS

The group also made efforts to meet with the CDF committee. In this meeting, it was agreed that the CDF Committee needs to use a similar development plan that has been prioritized by the people per ward in order not to duplicate funding to projects that have already been set to be supported. The committee agreed to work together in order to ensure the priorities by the people are put into cognizance. The capacity of the committee will be enhanced by the Kajiado Voices in order to ensure they have a good grasp of their role and responsibility.

ROADS IN THE COUNTY

Kajiado County in general has a wide geographical coverage all the way from Mombasa Road to Namanga to Magadi, Ngong and Ongata Rongai. The county has a huge population of residents working in the city of Nairobi due to affordable housing units in Kisserian, Ongata Rongai and Ngong areas. The main road network that cuts across the county is the Magadi road that goes all the way to Magadi Soada Company. While this is one of the most profitable companies in the country, the road has been left to develop into potholes that have left the residents of the county in deep need for road maintenance to support their dairy industries. For the county to keep a marginal competitive index, the road network will have to be prioritized by the County Government to uplift the livelihoods of the people in the county.

WATER A SCARCE COMMODITY

Water scarcity in Kajiado County is very serious. Majority of the residents depend on commercial borehole water which is not adequate. The large number of livestock also puts pressure on the already scarce commodity. WWater problems cut across the county and will need to be prioritiezed for development. Details are emerging of the need to begin to import water from Tanzania. The County completely lacks a sewage system and coupled with lack of piped water makes the situation worse. The residents will soon face risky diseases that could easily be prevented if the matter of water and sanitation is put into the county integrated development plan. THE DYING HEALTH SECTOR OF KAJIADO

The lack of maternity hospitals in Kajiado County yet the government ordered free maternal care is a contrast. The residents have to spend many hours


of por infrastructure in order to reach to health facilities that provide maternal care most of which are out of the county.

The fact that the county lacks a mortuary only means that majority of the people who die in the county remain in the homes until burial which is a health risk to the residents.

RESIDENTS DEMAND 30% OF COMPANY REVENUE BE PUMPED BACK TO COMMUNITY

Some of the notable drivers of the economy of Kajiado is the thriving Tourism and the Mineral resources processed by Magadi Soda Company. The Magadi contract is being renewed, and if the demnds for a 30% revenue ploughed back to community will see the livelihood uplifting of the people of Magadi who live in deplorable conditions. Other demands by the people are that all cheap labor work in the company should be allocated to the locals in order to empower them economically. The locals also demanded that the company should invest in the community through various social cooperate responsibility.any benefits to the locals or potential benefits for that matter.

Horticulture is one of the most profitable Agricultural ventures and the people of Kajiado should begin to venture in to this are for economic gain.

THE KAJIADO LAND MENACE CONTINUES TO HAUNT LOCALS

Kenya at large has land issues. However many Maasai’s are still in communal lands. Some of the community members have sold the land to willing buyers who have now turned some of the parts of the county into residential homes. Areas mostly affected are Ongata Rongai, OlePolos, Corner Baridi, Kitengela, Kajiado, Il Bisil among others that are being eyed by potential investors at the expense of unsuspecting sellers. News in the recent past has been awash of conflict between potential land buyers and the community members who feel they should be given back their land. There is need to develop a comprehensive policy that will protect land in Kajiado if the residents will continue to enjoy the communal land rights for the purposes of feeding their livestock.

POLICY INTERVENTIONS

The Kajiado Youth Network that comprises of various youth organizations in the area has embarked on a process that will see the introduction of various policy documents working closely with the county

assembly to ensure the County has sound policies that support the empowerment of the people of Kajiado. Some of the policies lined up are

• Kajiado County Youth Policy• Kajiado County Tourism Policy• Kajiado County Land Policy

KAJIADO COUNTY RICHEST IN KENYA

Kajiado has been named the richest county for the second year running based on the relatively lower level of poverty among its residents according to the Commission on revenue allocation.

According to the commission, compared to other counties, Kajiado needs the least amount of money to move its poor people out of poverty.

The CRA report says the poverty gap was an important index in estimating the depth of poverty, showing how far – on average – the poor are from the poverty line. This can, in turn, be used to measure the resources needed to lift them from poverty.

Ngong, Ongata Rongai, Kitengela, Isinya and Kajiado towns are sighted as some of the better off areas.The government has said it has allocated at least 20 per cent of the national Budget to counties, which is more than the 15 per cent minimum stipulated in the Constitution.

The latest County Fact Sheet is the first to be released after the March 4 General Election, when county governments became fully operational. In the recent past, there has been considerable debate about the successes achieved in implementing devolution.

Index prepared by the Revenue Allocation Commission will be used to determine how counties will share cash. *Report extracted from the Daily Nation July 31st 2013.

Kajiado Voices Newsletter is a production of Kajiado Voices

Forum with edits and lay out by Emmanuel Dennis

Address

Kajiado Voices Forum

Off Namanga Road

Rural Training Center Building before Isinya Town

P.O. Box 214 – 0100

Kajiado

Email: [email protected]

the participatory budgeting process

Documents