Residents of the Bangale sub-county in Madogo division, Tana River county have held a protest against a move by the county to start the cluster program and heritage site in the Moye Buya area.
The programme that is being spearheaded by Tana River County aims at mitigating the effects of floods by moving people from the lower area of Mororo to the higher area of Moye Buya also known as KBC.
The county also plans to build a heritage site in the 35 km square area that is 20 km away from the Madogo and Mororo areas.
On Monday, hundreds of residents from Mororo, Madogo and KBC areas took to the streets where they held peaceful demonstrations saying that they will not allow the program to go on in the area.
The angry residents while carrying placards and twigs along the Bura-Hola highway accused the county government of failing to engage them in public participation before embarking on the programs.
Harun Hassan a resident of Tana North in Bangale sub-county said that they were surprised to learn county officials met elders purporting to be representing various clans where they gave the green light for the program to continue.
“We are informed that the said elders gave the county the green light to proceed with the programme at KBC. What we are asking ourselves is when and where was the public participation done,” he quipped.
Harun a former MCA of Chewele ward said that it was wrong for the county to force his programs down the throat of residents saying that the constitution calls for public participation before any programme is carried out.
“We want to tell the county government that in no uncertain terms, we will not allow him to have his way on this one. It will never happen. Even if it means moving to court to stop him from carrying out this program so be it,” Harun said.
On his part, Mohamed Dhadho a human rights activist said that while they were not against the programs, what they were against was the lack of public participation noting that what was about to happen could be equated to land grabbing.
“Today we are gathered here as all communities residing In Bangale sub-county to show our displeasure against the county. You cannot force programs on us when we all know that similar programs have terribly failed in other parts of the county,” he said.
Another resident Tawane Mohamed hit out at the county saying the cluster program is not a priority.
Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana had yet to respond to our text messages and calls by the time we went to press. We commit to giving his response once he comments on the allegations raised by residents.
An official at his office who sought anonymity said the county boss will be making a statement in the week.
"The governor is fully aware of the matter. He will be making an official statement very soon on the same once he comes back. In the meantime, we appeal for calm from residents of Tana River," he said.
But in a previous interview, Godhana said Eco-Villages, also known as the Cluster Programme, are the solution to perennial disasters.
In defending the programme, the Governor noted that the ultimate goal of the Eco-Villages programme is to eradicate poverty and ensure the integration of all basic human needs.
Other targeted projects for the Eco-Villages include the establishment of village centres, fabricated hospitals, schools for early childhood education, and administrative offices.