Garissa assembly in uproar over municipality development plan

by STEPHEN ASTARIKOSaturday May 16, 2026

The Chairperson of the Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Committee, Khadija Idris /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Garissa County Assembly has been plunged into a fresh political and legal dispute after allegations surfaced that the Integrated Development and Expansion Plan (IDEP) for Garissa Municipality was approved irregularly and without following the law.

At the center of the row is Khadija Idris, chairperson of the Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Committee, who has accused unidentified officials in the assembly of tampering with the approval process and sidestepping the proper legal route.

In a complaint letter dated April 29 and sent to the Speaker of the County Assembly, Idris said the IDEP document, dated April 24, was “irregularly stamped, signed and a Hansard report generated” without the knowledge, participation or authorisation of her committee, which is legally required to handle such matters.

The accusations have triggered a governance crisis inside the assembly, raising questions about abuse of office, procedural breaches and possible violations of constitutional rules on public participation and accountability.

Idris said the process ran afoul of Article 10 of the Constitution, which sets out national values including transparency, accountability and public participation, as well as Article 196, which obliges county assemblies to conduct business openly and encourage public involvement in legislative and policy matters.

“The alleged approval was conducted internally, without any evidence of public engagement, thereby rendering the process unconstitutional, irregular and legally untenable,” the complaint states.

She also raised concern over how official records of the assembly, including a Hansard report, could have been produced without the involvement of the committee charged with oversight of the matter.

The dispute has since drawn in Speaker of the Garissa County Assembly Abdi Idle, who confirmed receiving the complaint and summoned members of the Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Committee to a consultative meeting set for May 5.

In a memorandum dated April 30, Idle said the session would give members an opportunity to discuss the concerns raised and ensure “thorough consideration moving forward”.

“Your participation is essential as we seek to clarify and address the issues at hand,” the Speaker stated.

The fallout is expected to increase pressure on the county assembly leadership, with legal and governance experts cautioning that any approval reached without public participation could be challenged in court and potentially set aside.

The IDEP is a key planning instrument that directs urban development, land use and infrastructure growth in Garissa Municipality, making the manner of its approval both sensitive and legally consequential.

Political observers say the confrontation may expose deeper fault lines within the assembly as concerns mount over transparency and adherence to due process in county governance.

Speaking to the star, Sankuri MCA Abdirahman Borr, who sits in the committee, confirmed the issue.

“It is true that the issue is there. As a committee, we were surprised to learn of the approval of the Integrated Development and Expansion Plan (IDEP) for Garissa Municipality. This was done irregularly and unlawfully,” he said.

Last week, Garissa County Assembly Speaker Abdi Idle warned Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) who have consistently failed to attend House sittings that they risk losing their seats in accordance with the Assembly’s standing orders.

Speaking to the press in his office, an agitated Idle said absenteeism among some MCAs had severely affected the operations of the Assembly, leading to delays in the processing of crucial bills and motions meant to benefit residents of Garissa County.

Idle noted that failure by members to attend House proceedings not only delayed legislative business but also affected oversight and service delivery to residents.

He regretted that several important bills were currently stalled at different stages because the Assembly had repeatedly failed to attain the quorum required for debate and decision-making.

“I have to be honest with you, the continued absence of members from House sittings is seriously undermining the legislative mandate of the Assembly and denying residents effective representation,” he said.