Members of Garissa County Assembly drawn from the expansive Balambala constituency have expressed gratitude following disbursement of equalisation funds by the Commission for Revenue Allocation.
Led by Abdirahman Boor of Sankuri Ward, the group lauded CRA’s allocation of Sh212 million.
“We are here as MCAs from Balambala constituency and we wish to appreciate CRA for allocating our constituency these funds. We have been marginalised for long but this allocation will go a long way in improving our people’s livelihood,” Boor said.
Boor claimed Balambala is the only constituency in Garissa which is receiving less funds from both the government and the donor community.
“We have been marginalised for a long period compared to other constituencies that receive funds from donors and the World Bank. All that is required is to ensure prudent use of the funds in our constituency,” he said.
The ward rep said already, four areas have been earmarked for development immediately the funds hit the account.
“We put the equalisation fund board in place and we shall be focusing on the water supply, education sector, electricity supply and road network in Balambala,” he said.
"This will have a positive impact on our constituency because more services and development will be closer to the people," he added.
The MCA challenged the CRA to increase the allocation to poorly developed constituencies.
The MCAs now want Balambala included in the refugee support programme that has seen Dadaab, Fafi and Lagdera constituencies get millions of shillings for hosting refugees.
Saka Ward MCA Abdiweli Aden said the equalisation funds had come at the right time for development.
"These funds will help improve lives. We shall be focusing on the health sector because we need to have a proper working healthcare system in Balambala," he said.
Jarajara MCA Adan Durow said the funds will go into improving health services in Balambala.
"We only have a dispensary in Jarajara but now with these funds, more health facilities will be built and equipped in our constituency. We shall be having laboratories and other health facilities,” he said.