local administration in collaboration with local organisations on governance issues

Today Ruben fm in patnership with Edmund Rice Foundation Australia held an open forum with elected leaders, local administration in collaboration with local organisations where community members were given a chance to participate in person to delve into specific governance topics. Security. Contrary to the situation, the leaders believe that security is not an issue in Embakasi south because youths are empowered and there are enough street lights.

According to residents, insecurity is a major issue because police are corrupt and instead of focusing on people’s wellbeing they major on illegal brews where they can benefit.They also tend to arrest youths and at times they don’t even have valid claims. Masaais , who are entrusted to guard properties are in collaboration with thieves.

Women and girls are at times even raped by perpetrators and justice has never been served. Immigrants ( Burundi ) have been noted around Ruben and they tend to cause unrest to the residents. Electricity. Lack of electricity for over a year in areas like Ruben has rapidly increased insecurity rates and also lack of water since electricity is needed to pump water. Residents feel the leaders have failed because the MP. Hon Julius Mawathe is at the energy committee but still isn’t impacting his constituency.

The MCA Mrs. Scholastica Muthoni is able to ensure water is adequate in her ward but three months later the situation is not improving, six transformers that are still in good state but are not even used can help reduce the electricity issue. Drainage. There is poor allocation of resources because the MCA’s office is built at the place designated as a dumping site therefore no designated dumping sites are in Ruben hence affecting sanitation mostly during rainy seasons.Some leaders use development projects for their own benefits for instance senior chairman Kaloki made sure the streetlight was at his area of residence instead of a needy area, Hon. Mawathe is using bursary as his campaign strategy.

Education. Bursary is mostly given at night and not all needy students get it therefore the government should make sure there are enough affordable schools for students that even tertiary education is accessible.The bursary team should be fair when distributing because mostly those in need never gets aid. The leaders present were representatives of the MP and MCA and they assured the residents that issues concerning water and the immigrants will be worked on in a week’s time and issues like education, electricity and other issues will be worked on in a month.

It was noted that rule of law does not apply in Embakasi South because everyone is after their own interests.Residents were reminded that they have have power to bring change in their ward and constituency because power is for the people, by the people, to the people.