By urging residents to serve as mere brokers of construction materials rather than actively participating in the construction process through locally established companies, the MP's actions appear to contradict his earlier commitments to promote local empowerment and inclusion in development initiatives. This discrepancy has left residents questioning the sincerity and integrity of the MP.
To uplift the economic status of Mwatate constituents, the Member of Parliament for Mwatate,Peter Shake made bold promises during his campaign. He pledged to form companies for locals, particularly targeting people living with disabilities, women, and youth, to enable their participation in the tendering process. However, almost two years since his election, these promises remain unfulfilled, leaving many wondering, "What went wrong?"
One of the key promises was the formation of companies within six months of the MP's election. These companies were meant to facilitate equity in the procurement of tenders in Mwatate constituency. Sadly, there has been no sign of progress on this front, leaving many constituents disillusioned.
Recently, in Mwatunge, Modambogho sub-location, Mwatate ward, the national government offered to build a market to boost the local economy. The tender for this project was awarded to FEPP General Contractors Limited , raising eyebrows among the locals. They are puzzled as to how the tender was awarded to this particular company, with many feeling left out of the process.
By urging residents to serve as mere brokers of construction materials rather than actively participating in the construction process through locally established companies, the MP's actions appear to contradict his earlier commitments to promote local empowerment and inclusion in development initiatives. This discrepancy has left residents questioning the sincerity and integrity of the MP.
The dissonance between the MP's earlier commitments and his current encouragement for residents to engage solely as brokers raises significant questions about the discrepancy between promises made and actions taken.
The ownership of the project has sparked a dispute between the area MCA, Joseph Kennedy Mwalegha, and the MP. The MCA was handed over the project by the technical team from Nairobi, as the MP was reportedly unaware of its existence until notified by his groundmen.
The manner in which the tender was awarded and the lack of transparency in the process have exacerbated the situation. Locals are now relegated to providing cheap labor, with no substantial benefits accruing to them. There are also concerns about the display of the contract signboard, which fails to provide details about the tender amount, further adding to the lack of transparency.
The residents feel neglected and taken advantage of by their elected leaders, who seem more interested in personal gain than in fulfilling their promises to the community. The need for accountability and transparency in tender processes is paramount to avoid such controversies in the future.
It is imperative for the MP to address the discrepancies between his promises and actions, and to provide clarity and accountability to the constituents. Residents deserve transparency and honesty from their elected representatives, as well as genuine efforts to promote local empowerment and economic development.
Elected leaders must prioritize the needs of their constituents and ensure that promises made during campaigns are fulfilled for the betterment of the community.
