[From left Garissa Senator Yussuf Haji, Garissa town MP Aden Duale and governor aspirant Ali Korane at a past function] (star.co.ke)
Garissa Governor aspirant and Jubilee Party nominee Ali Korane has called upon the current governor to halt the planned process of surveying and re-planning of the ever congested Garissa town.
He said that key stakeholders in the town and the public in general were kept in the dark and are unaware of the intended plans and they need to be informed.
“People are very fearful they may lose their property, houses,” he said. “We know land is an emotive issue and especially when it touches on the landless and squatters. It’s true that the town is congested and poorly planned, but any process meant to correct this should be treated with sensitivity, the whole process is illegal and must stop,” he said.
He said that the issue is a sensitive matter and should follow laid down legal procedures with public participation being key.
He questioned the team of surveyors believed to be going round and marking structures and houses for demolition or relocation without consulting the owners.
“Somebody cannot wake up one day and start planning the town. This is a recipe for disaster,” he added.
He said that the restructuring believed to be sponsored by the World Bank was creating fear and panic among the inhabitants.