RECURRING AND ALARMING ISSUES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY:  Abdulqadir USA
First of all, I live in the United States, and I was born and raised in Garissa.I graduated from Jaribu primary school in 1997. I was later admitted to Modogashe Secondary school where I finished my high school level of education in 2001.

I am currently pursuing medicine in Texas. Thanks for the hardwork that NFD online is doing for the community. However, it seems NFD online is not writing much about Garissa city council including the Mayor, about their war on the residents recently and their overall corruption.

Recently, there were displacements of many poor families whom their places of business were completely destroyed. Isn’t immoral to evict someone without notice and damage his or her property without meaningful compensation? Is it better to act violently than to act peacfully? If the council members themselves are acting violently, what do we think about residents who are engaging in land disputes? City council is supposed to be role models and guide the residents whenever a deviant behavior occurs.

If errant council members are leading the people where on earth do we think the community would find refuge and comfort. I hear whenever I call home, a portion of Carissa animal market has gone and sold to a business tycoon, and also hear more often, an alarming land disputes among the people of Garissa which is something unheard of. Sadly, it is the corrupt city clerk who operates the town’s revenue and shockingly, he can do whatever he wishes with the revenues, that is, he can undermine the overall productivity of the districts by reporting false figures to Kenya revenue authority.

If we don't stand up, interrupt, defeat and straighten this threatening problem, then, we would be still counted in Kenya as the most underdeveloped region and we are to blame no one, but ourselves. We have all the right and the ability to put checks and balances in Garissa local government way of governance.  Still, old habits exist and we need an effective reform in the council.

Action is required on that man who swallowed all the revenues of Garissa district, and so council members who are with him. However, action is not necessary to deal with the needy families who sell miraa along the streets. They can be easily and meaningfully relocated to another area if that need of space arises.

Therefore, on the issue of displacing needy families, if there seems to be a great need for street expansion or other government activity, rather, I will recommend and bring on the table of council sessions - a relocation initiative. That also requires consulting with the community  and convincing them that our streets look ugly and that we have to put things in order, please could you cooperate,  we will give you land where you will enjoy plenty of space.

These things must be handled step by step; we are never to rush to such ugly actions. We do have moral values and spirits that we uphold; therefore, we are not supposed to allow such ill - behavior to occur on Garissa soil.

For the fact that they are less advantaged, does not mean that they are less productive, less hardworking and not contributing to the society. We are to stand for justice, fair and balance.

Garissa city council has moral obligation to treat each and every resident in Garissa town equally, whether it be the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the male and the female.

Once the individual has resided the town, he or she gets all the rights, respects he or she deserves, and there should be no interferences whatsoever.

As Garissa residents, we are loving, honest and caring people, we would love to welcome whoever wants to contribute to the principles that we hold dear.

I Love my City - Garissa so much, that is why I am trying to make this effort to contribute, so that together, we can shape our future. There is much to be done in Garissa and a hard work lies ahead.

I cannot finish it here, but I will finish it in the future, Inshaallah. Thank you so much brothers for allowing me this golden opportunity to have a say about current issues facing the community. Please forward my message to the Mayor, city council members, and the area chiefs.

The City council cannot even build a website to interact with the community while technology today has reached villages and bushes. I could not find anywhere on the internet, I goggled tirelessly and found nothing as such. Shame on them! I guess they are busy corrupting the community. I hate the actions of those who fail their own people and I feel it very disturbing. Good governance must be taken as personal.