Hope for development as Garissa's Madogashe town upgrades to municipality

Madogashe town in Lagdera Sub-county, Garissa, was upgraded to a municipality on Monday, a day after the county assembly fully approved the Municipality Charter.

Governor Nathif Jama, who assented to the upgrade, said it would soon be advocated and equipped with an operational board, led by a chief executive officer, whose primary objective will be to ensure enhanced service delivery.

"The charter sets out the powers, objectives, bylaws, and boundaries of the municipality. Its signing paves the way for the municipality to be gazetted and the board to be constituted during its official launch, where instruments of power will be conferred," Nathif said.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama assents to the Madogashe Municipality Charter, with MCAs as witnesses, on May 20, 2024. (Photo: GPS)

Khadija Idris, chair of the County Assembly Committee on Land, Housing, and Physical Planning noted that the approval marked a historic moment for residents who would enjoy autonomy in resource mobilisation, revenue collection, and accessing grants from the Kenya Urban Support Programme and other donors.

She further stated that the municipality would offer efficient services, including town planning and beautification, garbage collection, and the provision of clean water.

"The charter helps them access more resources and can attract investors to develop the municipality."

Mohamed Osman Ali, a member of the Madogashe Livestock Traders Association, anticipated easier access to government services and other opportunities for residents.

"We have a livestock market that attracts traders from Isiolo and Wajir. We need this market to be improved with various structures and a loading point. I hope the municipality will undertake some of these roles that are essential for traders."

According to the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011, a municipality must have a population of 70,000 to 249,000.

It should also have an integrated development plan and demonstrate the capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations and deliver essential services to its residents, among other requirements.

Madogashe's elevation increased the number of municipalities in Garissa County to five, the others being Garissa, Buru, Masalani, and Dadaab, which all have fully functioning board officials.