Petitions Committee Receives Petitions on the Gazetment of Nyatike and Chepalungu as Hardship Areas

The National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee, led by Sessional Chair, Ernest Kagesi, has received two petitions from Nyatike MP, Tom Odege, and Chepalungu MP, Victor Koech Kipngetich.

The two members have petitioned the committee to have Nyatike West, Nyatike North, and Nyatike South sub-counties, as well as Chepalungu constituency, to be gazetted as hardship areas.

In his plea to the Committee, Odege informed the Members that Nyatike Constituency, which is one of the largest and most densely populated constituencies in Migori County was witnessing a migration of skilled workers, especially teachers, from the area.

According to the legislator, there are only 435 teachers serving in the 61 secondary schools in the constituency, resulting in an average of only 6 teachers per school. He attributed this to the deplorable working conditions in the area.

“The children of Nyatike are being denied what can be considered basic rights. The ratio of pupils to teachers is extremely low, as many teachers have opted to resign due to the hardships in the area. Even those who have not yet resigned are considering doing so,” stated Odege.

Among the issues plaguing the residents of Nyatike are harsh climatic conditions, poor road networks, pollution of arable land by old abandoned mines, lack of health facilities, unclean water, and even a lack of cell networks, making the area undesirable for employment.

Chapalungu MP, Victor Kipng’etich, petitioned the Committee, citing similar hardships in Nyatike. He informed the committee that the geographic orientation of Chepalungu, along with the black cotton soil found in the area, were the main contributors to the hardships faced by the residents.

“Whenever it rains, roads, toilet facilities, classrooms, and other infrastructure are destroyed. I am here not only for myself but for the people of Chepalungu, who are at risk of being left behind in terms of development,” stated Kipng’etich.

Marwa Kitayama, whose Kuria East constituency falls within the same region as Chepalungu and Nyatike constituencies, echoed the sentiments of Kipng’etich.

Kitayama said “I agree with the petitioner. It is true that within the eight sub-counties in Migori County, the Nyatike sub-counties are the most disadvantaged.” And “It is also true that contractors in the area have in the past refused to take up jobs in Chepalungu due to the black cotton soil and the depth required to reach the foundation.”

He urged the Committee members to treat the two petitions with the seriousness that it deserves stating. “The gazettement of these areas may not solve all the problems, but will offer relief and stop the loss of these civil servants who play an important role in any society.”