North maragoli: Residents, business owners and administrative stakeholders in North Maragoli Location have called for unity and stronger collaboration with security agencies following the installation of Mr. Keneth Adagala as the area’s new substantive Chief.
According to Kenya News Agency, the inauguration baraza, held at Mulundu Sub-Location, brought together community members, village elders, youth, religious leaders, traders, senior government administrators, and security officers. Speakers noted that the restoration of substantive administrative leadership after a two-year vacuum would help address issues such as insecurity, illicit brewing, drug abuse, and slow development in the area.
Sabatia Deputy County Commissioner Festus Munyao reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to combating insecurity, drug abuse, illicit brewing, and sexual offences, while cautioning administrators against interfering with criminal cases or soliciting bribes. Munyao emphasized the need for collaboration, stating, ‘Let us work together to make North Maragoli safe. Administrators must be fair, transparent and serve the people without fear or favour.’
He directed chiefs and assistant chiefs to hold monthly barazas to provide residents with opportunities to raise concerns and give feedback on Government services and security matters. Youth representative Dominique Kihima expressed gratitude for the new leadership, highlighting the community’s anticipation since the death of the former Chief two years ago. Kihima stated, ‘We thank God and the Government for giving us this opportunity to get a Chief after waiting for two years. As youth, we are ready to work with him and support his leadership so that our location can move forward.’
Mudete Market Traders Association Chairman Mageso Wycliffe urged residents and the five assistant chiefs in North Maragoli to support Chief Adagala and work closely with security agencies to restore peace. He highlighted that insecurity around Mudete Market had negatively affected business operations, with some shops being targeted by criminals. Wycliffe called for regular security patrols and strengthened community policing to protect traders and their businesses.
In his maiden speech, Chief Adagala thanked residents of Mulundu and the wider North Maragoli community for supporting him during his 19-and-a-half years of service as an Assistant Chief. He pledged to run an open-door administration and ensure fair and equitable service delivery to all residents, stating, ‘I pledge to serve all people equally. My office will be open to everyone. Let us work together to fight crime, support education and grow our businesses.’
The new Chief also urged parents to guide their children away from drugs and other forms of crime, while encouraging community groups to register their chama projects to benefit from available Government support programmes. The ceremony was attended by senior sub-county administrators, police commanders, village managers, religious leaders, and hundreds of residents who welcomed the new Chief with songs and prayers. Leaders urged North Maragoli residents to embrace peace, support the new administration, and work together towards sustainable development in the location.
