By Reuben Olita
Malaba Catholic Parish Priest Fr. Mike Wanyonyi has decried the lack of meaningful projects in Malaba Central Ward compared to other neighbouring wards.
Speaking during a burial mass for Mama Lucy Amoding Kaala, 67, at.St Anna Kajei Comprehensive School, Fr. Wanyonyi said people living in the ward are suffering due to lack of meaningful development projects.
” Malaba South Ward is hosting Kocholia Sub County Hospital, a level 4 health facility, and Kenya Medical Training College Teso Campus,” he said.
Fr. Wanyonyi added:” What can we do to restore the parity of the Ward? We need to go to Busia County as a team to raise the disparity of projects in Malaba Central Ward.”
Fr. Wanyonyi also took issue with nurses who fail to deliver effective services to patients through unpalatable language when they seek treatment or those who come late to visit their relatives.
The priest urged congregants to purchase land where they will be buried, telling them that he will be buried in Kibabii.
” Parents should teach their children agriculture and encourage them to keep rabbits, chicken, and grow crops to fend for themselves owing to scarcity of jobs,” he said.
Fr. Wanyonyi said he is sympathetic with MCAs for harbouring every burden from their voters, wondering the large number of aspirants in Malaba Central Ward.
The parish priest also blamed parents who encouraged each of their children to join different denominations, which are more than development. He also encourages polygamous fathers not to keep more than one wife in one house if they need peace.
Fr. Wanyonyi dealt politicians a big blow when he declined to grant them an opportunity to address mourners. Among politicians in attendance included former Malaba Central MCA Benard Papa, MCAs aspirants Edwin Enarach, Melvin Otwane, and Gerald Okima and representatives of gubernatorial aspirants, Arthur Osiya and Eng Vincent Sidai. Also present was Malaba Municipality manager, Francis Asoyong
The county government was led by Chief Officer Public Service Management Patricia Okello and Directors Robert Muganda ( Public Administration), James Imwene ( Water), and Douglas Barasa ( ECDE).
Mama Lucy Amoding
Kaala was the sister to Innocent Kaala of Health Office Busia, County Police Commander Kilifi, Reginald Omaria, Deputy Director Busia County, Levinah Apale, GSU Gilgil Brian Kaala and Catherine Toto of Malaba Municipality.
Mama Lycy Kaala secured employment at BAT Malakisi between 1983 and 1985. She later secured a job at Busia County Council.
On September 13, 1985 , she was transferred to Malaba Town Council in February 1994 as a mistress II, a position she held until 2013 during the advent of devolution. Mama Lucy performed her duties diligently until her retirement on September 13, 2018.
Lucy, who died of diabetes mellitus has left behind 15 grandchildren.
