Mlolongo Is Falling Apart, and Our MCA Is Silent.

Mlolongo town, once considered the economic engine of Machakos County, is deteriorating into an unplanned slum. The signs are unmistakable: sewage spilling onto roads, garbage piling up in trading centers, and children with nowhere to play.

Every night, raw effluent from homes and companies flows openly into public spaces. Roads like the notorious Gossip Road have turned into death spots, especially during rains, impassable, eroded, and utterly neglected. In March 2025, public outrage boiled over as area MCA Daniel Mutinda (popularly known as Ndwiki) was forced to walk the muddy roads he had promised to fix, an act of public protest captured in viral videos.

Despite this dire reality, Mlolongo–Syokimau remains one of the top revenue-generating wards in Machakos County. Flanked by booming businesses, logistics hubs, and expressway-adjacent real estate, the region contributes significantly to the county’s own-source revenue. Yet, development returns are nonexistent.

Residents are now asking hard questions: Why has the long-promised youth hall stalled? Where is the money allocated for roads, markets, and drainage going? According to credible local sources, over KSh 1 million has been allocated for the Kisii community to purchase a bus, with support from the MCA’s office. But surely, shouldn't this same amount be enough to patch the roads and build essential drainage?

The truth is, our leaders are failing us. Especially our MCA, Daniel Mutinda. Instead of fighting for clean roads and proper drainage, he spends time defending the county government. 

Governor Wavinya Ndeti's administration, like her predecessor’s, is leaning heavily toward recurrent expenditure, salaries, allowances, and operations, at the expense of real, visible infrastructure. Development absorption in Machakos County was below 50% last year. This means billions meant for roads, sanitation, and social infrastructure remain unused or diverted.

Mlolongo–Syokimau deserves better. Residents are not asking for miracles. They are asking for working drainage, safe roads, a market with sanitation, and somewhere for their children to play.

Devolution was meant to bring resources closer to the people, but if the people don't hold their county and ward leaders accountable, those resources will continue to be stolen, misused, or handed over for political favors.

We need answers. We need action. Before the promise of Mlolongo is permanently buried under sewage and silence.