Road to Nowhere: Who’s Responsible for The Mlolongo/Syokimau’s Infrastructure Collapse?
Who is responsible for Syokimau’s flooded, muddy roads—the MCA, MP, or Governor? Dive into the leadership debate and explore potential solutions for better infrastructure.
Residents of Syokimau/Mlolongo Ward recently staged a dramatic protest against poor road conditions by forcing their MCA, Hon. Mutinda Ndwiki, to wade through flooded, muddy roads. This bold move underscored the frustrations of locals who endure daily hardships due to deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems. The incident has sparked a heated debate: Who is truly responsible for the poor state of roads in the area? Is it the MCA, the Member of Parliament (MP), or the Governor?
To understand the accountability puzzle, we must first examine the roles and responsibilities of each leader in Kenya's devolved governance structure.
Hon. Patrick Makau, the area MP, represents the constituency at the national level, lobbying for policies and funding to improve infrastructure. Through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), MPs oversee minor projects, including feeder roads. However, larger road projects and drainage systems often fall outside their purview, as they are managed by county governments.
The MCA, Hon. Mutinda Ndwiki, is directly accountable to the residents of the ward. He plays a critical role in advocating for resources and prioritizing road projects within the county assembly. MCAs are tasked with enacting laws and overseeing county budgets to ensure funds are allocated for infrastructure improvements. Yet, questions remain: Has the MCA successfully championed the ward's needs in county plans, or is his influence limited by systemic bottlenecks?
On the other hand, Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, the Governor of Machakos County, bears the ultimate responsibility for county roads, including their construction and maintenance. The Constitution assigns counties the function of managing county roads, while the Governor allocates resources and oversees implementation. However, a lingering concern is whether adequate funds have been directed to Syokimau/Mlolongo or if there’s a failure in prioritization at the county level.
Systemic issues, including the lack of a Ward Development Fund in Machakos County, exacerbate the problem. Such funds have proven effective in counties like Kiambu and Nairobi, where at least KSh 10 million is allocated annually per ward to address localized challenges. The absence of a similar initiative leaves wards like Syokimau/Mlolongo vulnerable to neglect.
As the video of Hon. Mutinda Ndwiki trudging through the mud circulates widely, residents are demanding more than symbolic gestures—they want accountability and lasting solutions. The question remains: Who should take responsibility for these roads and the broken drainage system? Is it a failure of leadership by the MCA, insufficient lobbying by the MP, or a lack of prioritization by the Governor? This incident is a stark reminder that devolution's promise of equitable development can only be fulfilled when leaders at all levels align their efforts to address the people's needs.
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