The move by Kisii County government to set aside Sh30 million as part of disaster preparedness to combat aftermath of expected El Nino rains has been questioned by a section of county residents.
Governor James Ongwae on Tuesday announced the plan during the Mashujaa Day celebration after three people reportedly died in South Mugirango following heavy rains last week.
However, in a random interview in the streets of Kisii town, many residents dismissed the plan and termed it as a well-orchestrated strategy to defraud county residents since the county is several metres above sea level.
“It is quite laughable that people can set aside a whooping Sh30 million in preparation to control what we are not even sure of. This is surely a highland and we don’t expect many people to be affected with the expected El Nino rains. It is a plan to defraud residents and I will personally oppose it,” said Jason Magare, a seasoned politician in Kisii town.
Businessman Omiti Nyambane urged the county leadership to divert the money towards improving the status of road networks in the region to ease transportation of goods and other farm produce.
“The fear factor of El Nino rains is a non-issue for us. The county is hilly and most people live uphill therefore the rains may not have a major impact on us. The money should be diverted to the department of roads and open as many feeder roads as possible,” Nyambane said.
Governor Ongwae had said the money will be used in recruitment of more work forces to open trenches in flood prone areas especially in South Mugirango constituency.