Whilst the rest of Somalis bicker, Garissa slowly develops

[Haatu]

Construction Of The Nunow-Modogashe Road To Start By December

 

“Agreed!”. The County Governor Nathif Jama signs a loan deal with Saudi Arabian Government. In the assignation for the agreement, Aden Barre Dual, the majority leader and the Minister of Finance were present.

 

he county government of Garissa in collaboration with the national government of Kenya have entered into a loan deal with the government of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) has entered into a loan contract where they will contribute $27 million for the construction of the road. The total cost needed for the construction of the road is a US$ 130 Million. According to governor Nathif, the county government of Garissa is still awaiting contribution promised by the Kuwaiti government and the government of the United Arab Emirates. The Nunow-Modogashe road, according to Nathif Jama is ‘an important link in terms of our infrastructural requirements as it will open up an important corridor of our County’. In a statement published on his Facebook page Nathif stated that construction of the road ‘will ease the hardship of the people operating in that part of the County and contribute significantly to the overall economic and social development of the entire northern region of the country. ’

 

It is not the first time the Kenyan government has received money for the proposed construction of the Nunow-Modogshe Road. In 2010, the national government was in receipt of $10 million (810 Million kshs) from the Arab Bank for Economic development in Africa (BADEA) in which the government assured the people of Garissa that the money will be used wisely for the construction of the road. At the time, the Minister of Finance and the current president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta stated that the “The main objective of the project is to open up the Northern region to the rest of the country and at the same time enhance livestock production and provide a stimulant to socio-economic activities in Northern Kenya”. Uhuru Kenyatta also stated then that the government will extend the Nuno-Modogashe road to Mandera town at the border of Kenya and Ethiopia and make the road an international highway that will enhance trade between the two countries. However, despite all the assurances made, the road was never constructed. Modogashe is an area that will greatly benefit from the construction of the road. The de-facto capital of the Lagdera constituency cannot boost of any infrastructural achievement since Kenya’s independence 5 decades ago.

 

Current state of the road

 

The people of Modogashe told our reporters that the proposed construction is a “lie”. The current tribal chief of Modogashe Chief Abdirahman Guure (more commonly known as Chief ‘Maax’) had stated in an exclusive interview with Garissa Reporter that he has had enough of all the promises made by the national government and that he no longer cares about what they say they will do. He said “the promises made by the government were many and they continue to make such promises. These promises are all lies. They may not be held accountable for these lies, but they will certainly face the full force of justice in front of God on the day of judgment.”

 

The Modogashe community and almost all the communities in the north eastern part Kenya have experienced marginalization since Kenya’s independence. Many are yet to see whether Governor Nathif Jama will improve the situation in the county and whether, unlike the past, he will implement the promises his government makes.

 

http://garissareporter.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/construction-of-the-nunow-modogashe-road-to-start-by-december/

[Haatu]

What the road is like currently:

 

[Haatu]

Kismayo Road to be refurbished

 

The government of Sharjah which is an Emirate in the United Arab Emirates has promised to donate to the County Government of Garissa 3000 date palm seeds. Mr. Nathif who is the governor of the fourth largest county in Kenya said the donated seeds will be used to plant date palm trees along Kismayo Road – the only highway in Garissa Township.

 

According to Mr. Adam, Garissa, being the commercial hub of Garissa County, must be beautified in order to attract foreign investors and to boost tourism. Apart from the planting of date palm seeds, Mr. Adam has also vowed that Kismayo Road and all other roads in other towns and urban areas within Garissa County will be refurbished. This involves planting trees, shrubbery and other greenery, but also includes adding decorative or historic-style street lights and other lighting and replacing older broken pavement, often with brick or other natural materials.

 

Mr. Adam’s tenure as the first governor of Garissa County so far has seen various beautification projects initiated in Garissa Township. For instance, the shacks that used to inundate the sides of Kismayo Road were cleared away by city councils and army officials last week, a new bus-stop was constructed where all the Matatu’s or mini-vans are expected to park and a new market was constructed to replace the old, dilapidated market of Souq Mugdi (which translates to the market of darkness).

 

http://garissareporter.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/garissa-county-government-to-plant-3000-date-palm-along-kismayo-road/

[Haatu]

 

The Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts has taken ownership over a piece of land in Bula Madina, which will be harnessed by the government to construct the new Garissa Football Stadium. Construction is set to begin soon according to Hassan Wario, the man spearheading this development. Currently, in Garissa there does not exist a stadium but the space field of Garissa Primary School and other make-shift grounds such as Showground where football and other sports are played.

 

Prior to the March 4th election, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto stated, when campaigning in Garissa, that they have chosen Garissa as one of the sites where a new football stadium will be built. They also promised that the construction of the stadium will finish before the end of the first term.

 

According to Uhuru Kenyatta, the need to build a stadium in Garissa and in another places across the country is part of bigger plan; to bid for the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

 

http://garissareporter.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/national-government-to-build-new-stadium-in-bula-madina/

[Haatu]

Garissa County League to be introduced soon

 

The Football Kenya Federation will introduce a new league structure as from next year. The changes will see Kenya’s football system moving to a more professional and recognized format. In Garissa, there will be implemented a new county league. The league will consist of 20 teams. The restructured football system will also see creation of the Garissa Sub-County League, which will be the lowest tier of football in the county.

 

The current state of football affairs in the county is dismal. There is no sort of football nationally recognized county league practiced in the county. There occasionally exists tournaments organised by good Samaritans and politicians.

[Haatu]

http://garissareporter.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/fkf-to-introduce-garissa-county-league/

[Haatu]

The best thing reer Gaaris did was electing Nadiif

 

 

[Saalax]

They have been part of Kenya for decades and they are only getting roads now Lol? That explains the

sad state of affairs in NFD.

[YoniZ]

Good stuff, however, someone must take pinch of salt with these white elephant projects.

 

Mr Nadif needs to put extra energy on how to get local investments. If he can attract just quarter of the yearly Eastleigh money inflow, that will make a huge difference.

[SomaliPhilosopher]

Interesting. You know developing the long neglected north eastern parts of Kenya is part of Kenya's 2030 plan. I am guessing the discovery of oil is playing a role in this.. The dry arid lands are not so dry after all appears to be the mantra going around the new kenyan government.... Haatu are you familiar with the real estate prices in garissa and other cities in the NFD?

[Haatu]

Saalax;981258 wrote:

They have been part of Kenya for decades and they are only getting roads now Lol? That explains the

sad state of affairs in NFD.

Yes, the NFD has been marginalized for decades but alhamdulilah things are beginning to pick up now.

 

YoniZ;981259 wrote:

Good stuff, however, someone must take pinch of salt with these white elephant projects.

 

Mr Nadif needs to put extra energy on how to get local investments. If he can attract just quarter of the yearly Eastleigh money inflow, that will make a huge difference.

The road project is most certainly not a white elephant. For years the central kikuyu lead government has been taking money from the Arabs in our name to "build" this road only for them to eat every penny of it. Now, we're building our roads ourselves and Nadiif will be held accountable if it doesn't get built. As for the investment, Gsa has been abandoned by it's successful sons/daughters. Every one of them prefers to invest anywhere but Gsa but IA if the county government implements the projects its planning the investors will follow.

 

SomaliPhilosopher;981263 wrote:

Interesting. You know developing the long neglected north eastern parts of Kenya is part of Kenya's 2030 plan. I am guessing the discovery of oil is playing a role in this.. The dry arid lands are not so dry after all appears to be the mantra going around the new kenyan government.... Haatu are you familiar with the real estate prices in garissa and other cities in the NFD?

Now that Somalia has been neutralized, they are no longer scared of spending money here because the threat of secession is nonexistent. Hence, the sudden focus (also noteworthy is that the state of emergency was only lifted in 91/92 after the civil war began). Oil when discovered in commercial quantities will definitely be a game changer. Gas was also found in Masalani in southern Gsa county as well.

 

Real estate is very cheap compared to Xamar or Nbo. £15,000 should get a very nice property with good space in Gsa. In other towns it's even cheaper around £6000 but it's not worth investing in atm (unless you're going for long term). House prices are currently falling because all the speculators are rushing to Kismaayo/Xamar and prices are at their lowest in 5 years.

[Haatu]

Real estate is very cheap compared to Xamar or Nbo. £15,000 should get a very nice property with good space in Gsa. In other towns it's even cheaper around £6000 but it's not worth investing in atm (unless you're going for long term). House prices are currently falling because all the speculators are rushing to Kismaayo/Xamar and prices are at their lowest in 5 years.

[SomaliPhilosopher]

Interesting. Is it safe to assume that these £15,000 properties will increase in the next 5-10 years? And does this £15,000 just include land or an actual house as well?

[Haatu]

If the LAPPSET project is built and the town's infrastructure is improved, £15K will seem like a bargain in 10 yrs time. As for what it can buy today, it depends on what neighbourhood. In most it will buy you both a house and land, in the more desirable neighbourhoods, you might have to fork out double that.

[Odey]

I recently went to Garissa and on my way back and going past the bridge at the edge of town, the security forces boarded and starting asking people their ID's. That didnt suprise me, in fact I was expecting it, but then the security guys went on to say" Welcome to Kenya, please show your passports".

 

I asked one of them why they were welcoming us to a country we were already in and he said " i know, but you are now entering Kenya proper!". I guess they didnt consider this region as part of their country.