Wajir senator to governor: tender notice lacks inclusivity and I won’t be silent

Wajir senator Abdullahi Ali addressing the youths during the youth conference in Wajir. (Courtesy)

WAJIR—The governor of Wajir County is on the spot once again, this time on allocation county funds to one part of the county.

In a newspaper advert, the county secretary singled out Tarbaj and Upper Wajir East as the areas where the governor would channel the county resources. Ordinarily, the county government is expected to conduct ward level consultative meetings to asses the needs for priority allocation.

Speaking to Kulan Post from Kigali where he is attending Panafric Parliamentary meeting, the senator of Wajir County Abdullahi Kabreta slammed the advert saying it’s not fair.

“It is not right neither is it fair,” Kabreta said, adding that, “The people of Wajir have the right to complain and I am with them 100%.”

The senator said he spoke with the county leadership to voice his opposition.

“I told them it’s not fair and I will not keep quite anymore,” he added.

Senator Kabreta said he would communicate with “concerned departments when I return.”

People living with disabilities  have also voiced their concern, saying the tenders have not been considered. Out of the seven advertised projects, two were given to women and youth.

Haretha Aden, the Wajir County Assembly nominee for Persons Living with Disability said the tender notice lacks inclusivity.

“If at all they want to show exclusivity in their distribution of resources, it should be to all and not applying the rule selectively,” Haretha said.

She added that the county government has “tendency of ignoring the voiceless groups.”

A statement by the county government refuted claims of exclusivity and unfairness in sharing of resources.

“It is just that this particular advert came out first.  We are planning to publish other tenders tomorrow for Wajir North, South and West in tomorrow’s dailies,’ the statement said.