A political dispute has emerged over who should take credit for the electrification of Bulla Towfiq and Kunaso villages in Waberi Ward, Garissa County, following competing claims by Waberi Ward MCA Abubakar Sugow and Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed Barrow.
Waberi Ward MCA Abubakar Sugow said the electricity project was the result of his sustained engagement with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), insisting that the facts surrounding the project should be distinguished from political narratives.
According to the MCA, he formally wrote to REREC on 11 November 2024 requesting electricity connectivity for residents of Bulla Towfiq and Kunaso.
He said he followed up with another submission on 6 January 2025 and held meetings with senior REREC officials, including the corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, who referred the matter to the Strategic Planning Department for implementation.
Sugow said the project advanced through official correspondence, persistent follow-up and engagement with the relevant government agency rather than public statements.
“Leadership is not about claiming credit after the work is done; it is about standing with the people when they need solutions,” the MCA said, adding that the people of Waberi Ward deserve an accurate account of how the project was pursued.
He further stated that while he respects the office of the Garissa Township Member of Parliament and recognizes that development is a collective responsibility, the electrification initiative should be attributed to documented efforts rather than political claims.
The MCA maintained that official documents and timelines support his account and called for honesty in acknowledging the processes that led to the project’s implementation.
The remarks come amid competing narratives over the development, with both the MCA and MP associated with the successful delivery of electricity to the two settlements.
The electrification of Bulla Towfiq and Kunaso is aimed at improving access to power for households and businesses, supporting economic activity and improving the quality of life for residents.
