By Reuben Olita
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has formed taskforce that will work with officers in his office to collate information on inherent challenges facing residents of Malaba Municipality in Busia County.
Responding to questions from residents during a historic public participation meeting at Amoni market, the senator said, he will be a member of the taskforce to understand the nitty grittis of the problems bedevilling residents of the Municipality.
” I have given residents seven days to submit names of members of the taskforce, including five elderly persons, two members from each of the groups, two representatives of the Malaba Central Member of the County Assembly and Member of Parliament, two former councillors with institutional memory, immediate former MCA Benard Papa, Clearing and Forwarding agents, youths, women and persons with disability” he said.
He added:” I will then meet the committee a day after submission of the list of members to draft the terms of reference and the Taskforce to submit its report within 30 days. The final report will be submitted to the Senate for necessary action.
Senator Okiya Omtah at the controversial Amoni market on Saturday.
Having listened to stakeholders’ submissions’ Omtatah noted that the problem has a hallmark of crime.He promised to involve the relevant investigative agencies to seize the matter.
He said said budgeted corruption had taken its toll in the county, disclosing that beginning this week, his office will use some radio stations to analyse the county budget in terms of development and recurrent expenditure.
Omtatah said owing to regular power outages in the country he has pushed for a substation in Kotur to tap power from Uganda to supply to other areas in Western, including Siaya, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.
“I have agreed with the county leadership to have Busia International Airport constructed in Kwangamor and an an industrial base at Asinge to spur economic development in Teso region,”he said, adding the Senate trade committee will tour Malaba to hear grievances of clearing agents over loss of Jobs owing to EAC treaty on goods clearance.
Residents raised pertinent issues afflicting them, including the controversial 5 acre amoni piece of land, alleged grabbing of their land by Kenya Railways in Okodai and Akadetewai, loss of Jobs by Kenyan clearing agents and alleged demotions of their sons and daughters working with the County Government among others.
The issue of the market land was the elephant in the house with former councillors Chrisantus Ipala, Stephen Enaga, Elisha Ikapolok, and immediate former MCA Benard Ibella Papa putting records straight over acquisition of the controversial land.
Ibella Papa, the immediate former MCA for Malaba Central said he set aside Ksh15million for the construction of the Amoni market, but which stalled owing to the controversy over its ownership despite production of the title deed.
Hon Papa said through corporate social responsibility, a Chinese contractor constructed Amoni Ablution block, which, although complete, has not been opened owing to the legal battle over the controversial land.
” I obtained legal documents including the title deed number 2158 Teso South Osuret, which prompted the construction of ablution block on the land by the Chinese,” he said.
Former area MCA and Malaba Town Council treasurer Stephen Enaga said he was a signatory that paid for the controversial land, wondering the turn of events from the family that sold land to the Council.
Ipala said under his chairmanship of the council in 2002, he witnessed the first payment of Ksh50,000 and Ksh270,000 in 2009, wondering why the family that sold the council the land went to court denying the sale of the land.
Malaba boda boda chairman Hussein Ikomol said his members are facing challenges where to park their motorcycles, forcing them to use the Busia-Malaba road as their parking bay which has caused many accidents.
Stakeholder Kennedy Epalat said the raging battle over the move not to approve the name of one nominee as a member of the Malaba Municipality Board was attributed to witch-hunt noting that he has petitioned the County Assembly to seek justice over the matter.
Omtatah urged those with complaints over the controversial Amoni market land to avail him with concrete evidence over the ownership of the land that will meet the threshold.
” I am seeing criminality in the controversial Amoni market land. Those found calpable will face legal action, and I don’t mince my words,” he said.
The Senator raised concerns over failure by the county government to keep records of its assets, especially land which his office has made concerted efforts to revert to the county government.
“Among the assets I have managed to revert to the Dr Paul Otuoma’s administration includes the 843 Nasewa land, Busia Airstrip, 200 acres of land in Asinge, and 42 acres in Kotur.
Surprisingly, no current MCA attended that key function that witnessed a huge turnout from ecastic nembers of the public who came to witness the most historic event.
Since the advent of devolution, no senator whose roles include oversight, representation, appropriation, and legislation has organized public participation meetings.
Residents and local leaders lauded the senator for the milestone bold step, which Omtatah said will continue from next week across the county.
