GARISSA– The County Assembly of Garissa has received a public petition from the Garissa Farmers Network seeking legislative intervention to address persistent challenges affecting the agriculture sector across the county.
The petition was presented by the Garissa Farmers Network, led by its Chairperson Abdullahi Abdi, and formally received by Speaker Hon. Abdi Idle Gure on behalf of the County Assembly.
The petition raises concerns over recurring floods, inadequate budgetary allocation to agriculture, shortage of agricultural extension officers, and the deteriorating condition of Agricultural Machinery Services equipment.
The petitioners stated that recurrent annual floods continue to devastate farming communities by destroying crops, irrigation infrastructure, access roads and arable land, resulting in declining agricultural productivity, food insecurity and loss of household incomes.
The farmers further state that funding allocated to the agriculture sector has remained inadequate despite the magnitude of challenges facing the industry. They also cite an acute shortage of agricultural extension officers across all wards, limiting farmers’ access to technical support, modern farming practices and climate change adaptation services.
In addition, the petition highlights the poor state of publicly owned Agricultural Machinery Services equipment, alleging that much of the machinery has become inoperative due to disrepair, inadequate maintenance and vandalism, thereby denying farmers access to essential mechanization services.
The petitioners note that previous efforts to seek administrative intervention through the relevant County Government departments have not yielded satisfactory or sustainable solutions.
Among the key prayers presented to the Assembly are a comprehensive inquiry into the recurring floods affecting farming communities and recommendations for sustainable flood mitigation measures, including the construction and rehabilitation of dykes, drainage systems, riverbank protection works and climate-resilient irrigation infrastructure.
The farmers are also seeking enhanced budgetary allocations to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, adequate funding for the development and maintenance of farm access roads, establishment of farmers’ markets across the county, recruitment and deployment of additional agricultural extension officers, and an inquiry into the operational status of Agricultural Machinery Services equipment with recommendations for urgent repair, maintenance and safeguarding of public assets.
Speaker Hon. Abdi Idle Gure reaffirmed the County Assembly’s commitment to safeguarding the constitutional right of citizens to petition public institutions and assured the farmers that their concerns would be accorded due consideration.
“The County Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the voices of our farmers are heard and that matters affecting their livelihoods receive the attention they deserve,” said the Speaker.
Deputy Speaker and Iftin MCA Hon. Mustafa Abdirashid urged the Committee on Finance, Budget and Appropriations, chaired by Hon. Omar Abdi Hassan, to consider revising the County Budget Estimates, which are expected to be tabled before the Assembly this coming week, to accommodate the pressing needs of farmers.
Garissa Farmers Network (GFN) is a prominent cooperative society and advocacy group that connects local farmers, supports agricultural marketplaces, and promotes sustainable livelihoods across Garissa County. The umbrella body has a membership of approximately 1,700 farmers drawn from different parts of the county.
The presentation of the petition follows an earlier engagement between officials of the Garissa Farmers Network and the County Assembly. Earlier this month, the officials visited the Assembly to seek guidance on the procedures for preparing and submitting a public petition. .
The petition will be committed to the relevant sectoral committee for consideration in accordance with the Standing Orders. The committee is expected to engage the petitioners and other relevant stakeholders before tabling its report and recommendations before the House for consideration.
Also present were Hon. Adow Omar (Hulugho), Hon. Omar Abdi Hassan (Damajale), Hon. Abubakar Mohamed Khalif (Galbet), Hon. Abubakar Haji Sugow (Waberi), Hon. Ahmed Abdirahman (Liboi), Hon. Halima Gure, Clerk CHRP Mohamud Abdi Santur and Deputy Clerk Abdi Shakul Kassim.
