in Machakos Town
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| A street currently being recarpetted |
By Jonathan Mutiso
The Municipal Council of Machakos is pushing on with a major upgrade that is changing the face of the town.The programme will, among other things, see all properties and streets within the Central Business District named and addressed. It will also leave the entire CBD paved, street parking lots marked and cleaned.
This will give the dusty municipality a distinct look.Machakos Town Clerk Mr Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi said the drive will help the council in service delivery and will also help residents and visitors in identifying with the town. This is besides the slum upgrading project running into over a billion shillings that will recreate Mjini and Kariobangi slums under a donor funded programme.”This programme will enable the council to carry out services effectively within the CBD and beyond. We will be able to respond to disasters like fire immediately by having the address of buildings and streets. It will also help residents and visitors find business premises within the town where they can get various services,” Abdullahi saidIt also entails beautification of the town which has seen the main traffic junction in the town getting a face lift. A hard shoulder has been erected around circa and painted while the wall clock has also been painted through a partnership with Peter Mulei and Sons Limited.”The council is undertaking major development programmes within the municipality in order to be in line with vision 2030 and the new constitution which calls for cleaner towns. We are currently having a rapid results initiative of 100 days to manage waste, the council is handling 30 tonnes of garbage daily,” Mr Abdullahi saidLeaders and residents have lauded the programme and are participating in the implementation of the drive.”The council has sensitized the public about the programme because they are the main beneficiaries”, he added. The street lighting and the flood lights that has improved the town’s ambience and security at night. Flood lights have been erected in strategic areas and residents find it easy and safe to walk home at night. This has also helped police during their night patrols. Recent developments in the municipality and the team spirit at Town Hall now puts to shame spirited opposition from a section of the civic wing to Mr Abdullahi when he was posted to Machakos.A civic leader hitherto opposed to the posting told The Anchor “ It was a grave mistake for us. Now we see this team of Mr Abdullahi, the Town Treasurer Mr Wachiuri and Eng Morris Aluanga( Town Engineer) as a winning team”. Together with Mayor Timothy Kilonzo, a visionary leadership is emerging and the town is gaining its lost glory after losing the opportunity to be Kenya’s Capital city over 100 years ago.”It is now easier for people to get direction to certain areas within the town. The council should now embrace ICT and develop a digital map of the town for easier access of major buildings within the CBD. I like the whole idea very much, it will go a long way in transforming Machakos town to greater heights,” a resident Mr. Jonathan Musau stated.The council is now working on the beautification of the whole town with all pavements getting upgraded, parking areas flattened and marked clearly Residents are applauding council for a job well done, adding that the parking areas now are worth paying for.As we went to press, the council commenced beatification of Mulu Mutisya Gardens. It will have a low perimeter fence built and lawn grass planted, with seats positioned in various areas to make it an ideal place to relax and picnic. The Gardens will no longer be used for rallies of whatever nature and this development will mark end of years of neglect.CAPTION:One of the streets and property addressing poster in Machakos town central business district with building number and street name. By Jonathan Mutiso
