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Wundanyi Ward Representative in Taita Taveta County, Mr Jimmy Mwamidi, surprised residents by launching pots as part of a plan to empower villages in the area.
The launch ceremony took place after the MP cut the ribbon on two pots as leaders and villagers of Mranju witnessed with joy and enthusiasm.
Mr Mwamidi led the event by urging locals to use them for social activities such as cooking at village meetings and weddings.
In the event that caused mixed reactions among residents of the county, Mr Mwamidi also donated plastic chairs and utensils, hand washing jars, water tanks and tents to five villages in the ward.
As a way of empowering the residents through the county government’s community empowerment plan, Mr Mwamidi said the investment would help the villages save money on renting the equipment when they needed it.
“More resources will remain within the community, and thus they will be able to be self-sufficient in the long run,” he said.
This is not the first time that Taita Taveta County leaders have launched such equipment as part of a development plan.
Under the current and previous governments, the county, through the ward fund, has been allocating millions of shillings to provide such equipment to community groups in the county.
The equipment is provided to women's, youth and community organizations with the aim of empowering them economically.
Some of the equipment provided include tents, loudspeakers, chairs, plastic plates, organizing football tournaments and funds for women and youth associations.
In this financial year's budget, the county government has allocated over Sh115 million for this empowerment program.
While some groups welcome the aid as a sign of recognition, others feel it is a sign of the county government's failure to implement major economic and social projects.
Despite the good intentions of the program, some residents have questioned whether such equipment can bring about a real change in the lives of citizens.
Ms Isabella Kidede, a budget activist, said leaders are using the fund to gain political clout instead of addressing the underlying problems.
“We must ask ourselves how the county government is assessing the effectiveness of these programs? Is it really empowering the community, or are we just looking for short-term payoffs? If community empowerment is about providing pots, plastic chairs, and tents, we must reflect on whether we have lost the true meaning of true empowerment or what. These things have no power to change people’s lives or address poverty and unemployment,” she said.
Ms Kidede said empowerment programs should be sustainable, and focused on the real needs of the people.
“It should change lives and uplift the entire community so that it can become self-reliant. The county government should think about the approach it is currently using,” she said.
She said despite claims by county leaders and officials that the community suggested the provision of the equipment, it is their responsibility to ensure that residents make suggestions to benefit them when they need it.
He also urged citizens to push for accountability from leaders.
“Our communities deserve empowerment that aims to give them hope, respect, and more opportunities to develop themselves in life. Leaders should guide citizens in the right direction. We should not let citizens express such opinions without guiding them properly,” he said.
The launch ceremony took place after the MP cut the ribbon on two pots as leaders and villagers of Mranju witnessed with joy and enthusiasm.
Mr Mwamidi led the event by urging locals to use them for social activities such as cooking at village meetings and weddings.
In the event that caused mixed reactions among residents of the county, Mr Mwamidi also donated plastic chairs and utensils, hand washing jars, water tanks and tents to five villages in the ward.
As a way of empowering the residents through the county government’s community empowerment plan, Mr Mwamidi said the investment would help the villages save money on renting the equipment when they needed it.
“More resources will remain within the community, and thus they will be able to be self-sufficient in the long run,” he said.
This is not the first time that Taita Taveta County leaders have launched such equipment as part of a development plan.
Under the current and previous governments, the county, through the ward fund, has been allocating millions of shillings to provide such equipment to community groups in the county.
The equipment is provided to women's, youth and community organizations with the aim of empowering them economically.
Some of the equipment provided include tents, loudspeakers, chairs, plastic plates, organizing football tournaments and funds for women and youth associations.
In this financial year's budget, the county government has allocated over Sh115 million for this empowerment program.
While some groups welcome the aid as a sign of recognition, others feel it is a sign of the county government's failure to implement major economic and social projects.
Despite the good intentions of the program, some residents have questioned whether such equipment can bring about a real change in the lives of citizens.
Ms Isabella Kidede, a budget activist, said leaders are using the fund to gain political clout instead of addressing the underlying problems.
“We must ask ourselves how the county government is assessing the effectiveness of these programs? Is it really empowering the community, or are we just looking for short-term payoffs? If community empowerment is about providing pots, plastic chairs, and tents, we must reflect on whether we have lost the true meaning of true empowerment or what. These things have no power to change people’s lives or address poverty and unemployment,” she said.
Ms Kidede said empowerment programs should be sustainable, and focused on the real needs of the people.
“It should change lives and uplift the entire community so that it can become self-reliant. The county government should think about the approach it is currently using,” she said.
She said despite claims by county leaders and officials that the community suggested the provision of the equipment, it is their responsibility to ensure that residents make suggestions to benefit them when they need it.
He also urged citizens to push for accountability from leaders.
“Our communities deserve empowerment that aims to give them hope, respect, and more opportunities to develop themselves in life. Leaders should guide citizens in the right direction. We should not let citizens express such opinions without guiding them properly,” he said.
It's important that empowerment programs focus on sustainable opportunities, such as education, employment, or productive projects. While residents can use this equipment for events, the true impact should be economic and social. The community deserves measures that truly give them independence and improve their quality of life.