We should discourage politics of tokenism – woman rep

Garissa Woman representative Udgoon Siyad has urged fellow leaders to always strive to uplift the living standards of their electorates through empowerment programs.

She said that politics of tokenism and handouts had been overtaken with time reiterating the need to empower individuals and groups with tools of trade

She spoke at the Garissa County offices when she launched the countywide NGAAF projects for 2023/2024.

Among the programs launched were car washing machines, bodabodas, items for beauty therapy and saloons, as well as desks and lockers for schools.

A total of 127 groups received Sh21 million.

“As you can see I am here to lead the exercise of giving out items that will enable these women and youth to work for themselves and earn something out of it, giving our youth Sh2,000 is putting them in more danger since all they will do with the small money is buy miraa and mogoka which as we are all aware has caused more harm than good to our community,” she said

“Instead of giving handouts, I prefer people working for themselves. As they say, it is good to make one learn how to fish for themselves as opposed to giving him or her the fish itself. That way you will have empowered that person in the long run so that they cater for their families."

She said that through her office she has been able to empower both women, the youth and people with disabilities through small and medium businesses by giving out cash as well as items in every financial year.

The woman representative said that the time has come for leaders from across to focus on empowering the youth.

“Let us all think outside the box and use our God-given opportunity to change the lives of our people. The funds that come under us be at the county level, NGAAF or CDF, should be put to good use,” she said.

She said the county can do more in terms of addressing this by ensuring that it takes as many youths as possible to polytechnics so that they can acquire technical skills that will, in turn, help them employ themselves.

She appealed to the beneficiaries to make good use of the items and money given to them to change their lives for the better.

Hassan Haress, the NGAAF coordinator in Garissa County said that the impact of the project on the community has so far been immense adding that going forward the gaps that have existed will be addressed.

On the issue of some of the beneficiaries resorting to selling the same items that they have been given, Haress said that the office has put in place a monitoring and evaluation mechanism where a beneficiary follow-up is done.

“We always ensure that we visit them from time to time either physically or virtually. So message is to let them put the items to good use. If it is money let it go to the intended purpose. This will give them a chance of getting more assistance depending on how a beneficiary empowers themselves,” he said.