By Our Reporter.
Residents of Kisumu along Apindi Street and its precincts are appealing to the Provincial Administration and the area police ,Kisumu Municipality Council to intervene in regard to the illegal erecting of kiosks near their residences which have led to major security lapse within the said areas, failure of which they take the Council to Court.
Under the auspice of Kisumu Town Asians Residents Community ( KITARCO) the residents are accusing the council of using its staff together with the owners of the said shacks under construction of getting protection from the council.
“As residents of the area, this blatant abuse of office is harmonizing our enjoyment of residing in the area, these shacks are being put up on our flowerbeds and right at our doorstep and it is an eyesore that trees that have been in existence for the last 40 years were chopped down to pave way for this eyesore“, read part of the petition which they took to Nyanza Provincial Police Officer Joh Njue Njagi and Nyanza Provincial Commissioner Francis Mutie.
They wondered why the council is turning against its own by-laws while claiming to be for the beautification of Kisumu is turning a blind eye to all these.
“All the alleys in this neighborhood have been sealed off and such tin shacks erected thus jeopardizing access to sewer lines, main water lines and phone lines should the need for maintenance arise, we cannot even unblock sewers as the man hole inspection units are built upon“, read part of the letter.
The residents further warned of the PPO and the PC of disaster in waiting any slight fire outbreaks on their respective residences, they will be reduced to ashes as they are surrounded by illegal shacks doing all manner of cooking and other occupations on the roads.
“They also contribute to the general disease risk spread as there are no sanitation facilities and its anyone’s guess as to where these occupiers relieve themselves”, the letter further lamented.
KITARCO is petitioning the council to immediately demolish and return the pavements to its original state for usage by pedestrians or they hold the council responsible.
“As residents of this town, we hold the council responsible to ensure our enjoyment of residing in the area without such blatant disregard of bylaws since we also contribute to the council coffers in numerous ways already known to you and your officers, the greedy and unscrupulous council members/officers cannot erect shacks on public and enjoy the benefit of collect”, they told Kisumu Mayor Sam Okello.
In their appeal to the PC, they called on him to seriously look into the issue as the alleys and pavements are public property that the council is entrusted to maintain and protect for the enjoyment of all dwellers and not to line pockets of corrupt abusers of public offices.
“Sir this matter needs to be investigated and the culprits charged for abuse of office and also pay costs of restoration apart from shaming naming”, they called on the PC.
Contacted Kisumu Council Clerk David ole Nkere said that he was not aware of the allegations and vowed to look into the issue once he returns to Kisumu as he said he was in Nairobi and called on anyone who was offended to see him personally in his office.
ENDS.