A section of Isiolo residents have decried neglect by their leaders saying it was unfortunate that they were living in abject poverty despite the county receiving billions of money.
Kambi ya Juu residents complained that they had been sidelined on development matters and that their numerous grievances were not being addressed.
Various women groups singled out Isiolo Woman Rep Rehema Jaldesa as having not assisted any group from the area subjecting them to a lot of suffering.
A 14-year-old Emejen Adult Class Group involved in tailoring is among the groups that have never been assisted by the County Government and the Woman Rep’s office.
“The number of customers has dipped and we do not know where we will get money to pay school fees for our children who will resume learning next week,” the group leader Modesta Abei said.
Ms Caroline Adong’a of Ng’apetang Women Group said it was sad that groups from other areas benefited from Ms Jaldesa’s donations but none from the area.
The residents complained of lack of bursaries, poor roads and lack of power connectivity accusing Isiolo North MP Hassan Odha of sleeping on his job and failure to fulfill promises he made to them during last election.
Kiken Women Group’s Beatrice Etelon said education for their children had been cut short due to lack of bursaries making them indulge in criminal activities.
“We do not even know him (Odha) and it is unfortunate that he has decided to sideline us despite voting for him overwhelmingly. He should come and know our concerns and pick a bursary representative from our area,” said Etelon.
The locals faulted Governor Mohamed Kuti for not assisting them during the Coronavirus era despite his government setting aside millions to handle the pandemic.
They said many had closed their businesses and had no reliable source of income to sustain their families adding that the county relief food donations were only directed to other areas.
“Many of us have now resorted to burning charcoal and sale of chang’aa to provide for our families as the kind of treatment we have been getting makes us feel as if we are aliens in our own county,” an elderly woman who did not want to be named said.
Ms Adong’a said while Senator Dullo continued to play a key role in the county’s oversight, she should like senators from other counties find ways of assisting her electorates and not staying away only to resurface during campaign time.
Another resident Flavia Napolodi of Tolim Women Group said they had made several applications for support at the Woman Rep’s office to no fruition.
“We have complained severally and it seems our leaders are in deep slumber and waiting for campaign time for them to come and lure us with handouts. I do not think I would even know Governor Kuti while passing by the village,” she said.
