Nairobi, Kenya – A heated debate unfolded in Parliament yesterday between National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako over the inclusion of certain parts of Taita Taveta in the government’s list of hardship areas. The altercation, which took place during a parliamentary session, centered around the criteria for classifying regions as hardship zones .
In what appeared to be an immediate rebuttal to Mwashako’s presentation, Speaker Wetangula questioned the necessity of categorizing parts of Taita Taveta as hardship areas, pointing out that certain areas, particularly in Wundanyi, are lush and green.
“Hon Mwashako, your constituency is one of the greenest and most beautiful parts of this country. Is it really a hardship area?” Wetangula asked, triggering an outburst from the Wundanyi legislator.
Mwashako, who had presented a petition calling for the review of hardship areas, strongly disagreed with Wetangula’s assertion. He defended the need for a reevaluation, explaining that Wundanyi Sub-County, though known for its beautiful highlands and moderate rainfall, also contains vast stretches that experience severe weather conditions, difficult terrain, and escalating human-wildlife conflict.
“40% of my constituency is located in the highlands, which receive moderate rainfall, but the remaining 60% is extremely harsh. It’s not just about the weather, Mr. Speaker; we also face serious human-wildlife conflict issues,” Mwashako lamented.
He went on to highlight the unique challenges that constituents face, particularly in the remote areas of his constituency, where teachers and other civil servants struggle with unfavorable working conditions.
Mwashako also revealed that his petition to Parliament had prompted a visit from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to Wundanyi to assess the teachers’ working conditions firsthand. He argued that this visit further emphasized the need for the government to recognize the harsh realities faced by those working in these regions.
In his speech, Mwashako reiterated his demand for the government to publicly release the 2022 report on the review of hardship areas, which also contains information on the payment of hardship allowances for public servants working in such areas. The report, which he claims was compiled after his petition, is seen as a critical tool for assessing the government’s support for regions facing challenges like those in Wundanyi.
The debate comes amid growing concerns from lawmakers about the criteria used to determine hardship areas and the lack of transparency in the gazettement process. Several MPs have since called for the government to provide a clearer and more consistent framework for identifying regions that qualify for such designations.
As the discussion continues, MPs from various constituencies have stressed the importance of ensuring that hardship areas are not only recognized but also receive adequate resources and allowances to improve the living and working conditions of those residing in these zones.
The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for policy changes in Taita Taveta and other regions facing similar challenges. The government’s response, particularly regarding the release of the 2022 report, is eagerly awaited by those who hope for a more equitable allocation of resources for underserved areas.
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