Iftin Ward MCA aspirant Siyat Abdi Gedi has called for urgent intervention to address the deteriorating road network in the ward, saying thousands of residents have endured years of neglect while struggling to access essential services.
Gedi said leadership is a responsibility entrusted by the people and should be measured by service delivery rather than political promises.
“The people of Iftin stood patiently under the scorching sun to exercise their democratic right by voting. They deserve leaders who remain accountable, transparent, and committed to being their voice every day—not only during election campaigns. Public service is an honour that must be repaid through action.”
Iftin Ward MCA aspirant Siyat Abdi Gedi
He urged the Garissa County Government, the Department of Roads, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), and other relevant agencies to prioritise emergency grading, rehabilitation, and routine maintenance of the affected feeder roads.
Among the worst-hit roads are the feeder road linking Iftin Girls Secondary School to Bula Game Junction, the road from BBC Corner through Bula Sumbul to Celgadudo, as well as several ring roads and cutline roads connecting settlements across the ward.
Successive flash floods have washed away large sections of the road network, leaving deep gullies, loose sand deposits, and impassable stretches that have disrupted transport, trade, and access to essential services.
Residents of Dekaburey and other upper Iftin settlements say they have repeatedly appealed for road repairs over the past several years but have received little response.
The poor state of the roads has also disrupted the delivery of essential services. Water bowsers face difficulties reaching households, while many taxi drivers and private motorists have abandoned the affected routes due to the risk of vehicles getting stuck or sustaining damage.
Residents say the deteriorating infrastructure has also become a public health concern. Expectant mothers, elderly residents, and patients requiring emergency medical care often experience delays reaching health facilities, particularly during and after heavy rainfall when many roads become inaccessible.
Iftin Ward, one of the largest wards in Garissa County by geographical size, continues to face inadequate road infrastructure despite its growing population and expanding settlements.
Residents say improved road connectivity would enhance access to schools and health facilities, facilitate the delivery of clean water, strengthen emergency and security response, support local businesses, and stimulate economic growth across the ward.
