MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD WITH COURT CHAIRPERSONS / OFFICIALS ORGANIZED BY BURU BURU RESIDENTS WELFARE ASSOCIATION (B.R.W.A) OFFICIALS AND ON 12TH JULY, 2015 FROM 3:00 PM AT THE K.A.G. CHURCH (EAST ASSEMBLY) BURU BURU, NEXT TO THE ORANGE TELKOM PHASE 1.
AGENDA.
The recruitment and registration of residents into the Association (Membership).
The issue of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC).
The compilation and collection of data from Concerned Chairpersons of eligible Youth in their Courts to be recruited into the National Youth Service Programmes.
The implementation of the Presidential directive and Gazette on the total ban and removal of Wine and Spirit establishments in and around the Estates.
Any Other Business.
OPENING REMARKS.
The meeting was called to order at 3:50 pm by the Vice-Chairman of Buru Buru Residents Welfare Association who opened the meeting with a word of prayer after which, he welcomed all Court officials present and then introduced the Chairman to address the meeting.
The Chairman thanked participants for their attendance and requested them to introduce themselves, and then read through the agenda which was then adopted for discussion.
COURT OFFICIALS CONTRIBUTIONS.
MIN 1/ 12/07/2015: THE RECRUITMENT AND REGISTRATION OF RESIDENTS INTO THE ASSOCIATION (MEMBERSHIP).
The Chairman the importance of membership pointing out that, any active Association required a comprehensive and up-to date list of members in-order for it to effectively use a petition to address the problems and concerns of its area residents. He highlighted the fact that Buru Buru had transformed from the model state and status it proudly held to what it is now.
He informed the meeting that an estate like Komarock had a very strong and active Association because its residents had realised that, it was the only way that their problems and concerned could be effectively addressed by the National and County Governments.
Participants highlighted the fact that, the current changes on the ground had devalued the Estate and it was a great challenge us to mobilize all resources available and regain the status of the area and maintain it, in terms of road repair, street lighting and recreational facilities and these could only be achieved by total commitment.
The Chairman pointed out that because most courts were like gated communities the Association required the assistance and co-operation of court officials in the recruitment and registration of their residents so as to have a legitimate list of current members by the 30th July, 2015, a directive of the Registrar of Societies (R.OS). He highlighted the fact that other Associations like the one of Karen and Komarock were taken very seriously by the Government because, they had pro-active members who always raised their concerns.
Participants sought clarification on who qualified to be a member of the Association, and it was proposed that registration be taken as per household whereby once one member contributes the proposed Two Hundred Shillings (ksh 200.00) then automatically everybody in the entire household becomes members.
The Chairman clarified that, only the names of the person (s) who contributed the annual remittance would be written on the official BRWA membership registration form, which would be for auditing purposes and also forwarded to the R.O.S as the official members list.
A participant proposed that, other house-hold members who wanted to contribute more be allowed to do so and their names be added in the register, this was agreed on and passed by all present.
The issue of double registration was raised as when a member moved from one Estate or Phase to another.
It was pointed out that the Association had printed official branded receipts and that, with the registration of every resident thru` the Nyumba 10 initiative, it was possible for the resident to give his previous place of residence to his new court officials and the receipt number that he/she held which would be would be counter-checked on its authenticity and his details inserted in his/her new residency.
Participants proposed for an official introduction letter that would be used to sensitize residents on the benefits of being a registered member and also the official Government letter with the names of the office bearers from the R.O.S.
The Vice-Chairman informed the meeting that the Association had the Introduction letter plus the letter from the R.O.S. with the list of the officials which would be availed by mid-week. Participants were requested to help in the sensitization of not only their Court members, but also their neighbouring court.
A participant highlighted the fact that as per the new constitution, residents could not get quality or any meaningful service as it was clearly evidenced on the ground and stated that, pamoja ni nguvu. And it was proposed that an official introduction letter be done and given to each Court official which would help them sensitize residents on the benefits of being a registered member and also attached there-in, the official Government letter with the names of the office bearers from the R.O.S.
The Vice-Chairman informed the meeting that the Association had the Introduction letter and the list of officials from the R.O.S which would be distribution to all courts. He then gave the floor to the Treasurer to explain on the mode of the issuance of the Membership registration forms and receipt books.
The Treasurer informed the meeting that the branded receipt books were ‘controlled stationary’ and that every person issued with one was mandated to counter sign by writing down the book number, receipt serial number, name court and mobile number. She added that the collection data was to be done by the use of an official BRWA membership registration form and with those remarks; she presented a sample of the two documents and requested participants to help in the sensitization and registration exercise.
It was proposed that by the end of the meeting, participants present were to form Phase sub- committees which would be mandated with the task of the recruitment of residents into the Association.
It was resolved to maintain the Two Hundred Shillings (ksh 200.00) and ratify the revised subscription in the next Annual General Meeting.
MIN 2. 12/07/2015: THE ISSUE OF THE NAIROBI CITY WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY (NCWSC).
The Chairman informed the meeting that over the past years the NCWC personnel were not able to access their water meters for inspection and take monthly reading as residents did not open their gates for them and that situation led them in issuing estimates. Residents also took advantage of this and many did not take the responsibility of taking their readings to the NCWSC offices to pay and be current in their water payments.
As a result, the NCWSC identified the Phase and Courts with the most defaulters and then took drastic measures by digging up the front yards and disconnected the water supply. The above was carried out in 2 courts in Phase 3 after which they also directed 5 other courts to relocate their meters outside or get their water supply disconnected, and despite several meetings with the NCWSC North-Eastern Regional Manager on not to extend the exercise, to they took it to one Court in Phase 1.
It was reported that many residents had complained on the issue of wrong and fictitious readings by the NCWSC personnel and these had led to the inflated bills that many residents had, and when they took their water meter readings to the NCWSC offices the staff demanded that they clear the bills they had been given and then their grievances would be looked into.
A participant enquired why the NCWSC had not thought on the idea of introducing the pre-paid meters.
The Chairman informed the meeting that in the past many residents colluded with the NCWSC personnel on their readings but this problem had been eliminated as they were now taking photos of each meter as well to confirm whether it tallied with the written readings.
On the issue of the pre-paid meters, it was reported that, the NCWSC had a number of challenges in the implementation of the project.
It was resolved that the NCWSC be compelled to furnish the meter reading schedules of each Phase so that it could be relayed to area residents so as to have a 100% meter reading compliance.
MIN 3. 12/07/2015: THE COMPILATION AND COLLECTION OF DATA FROM CONCERNED CHAIRPERSONS OF ELIGIBLE YOUTH IN THEIR COURTS TO BE RECRUITED INTO THE NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE (NYS) PROGRAMMES.
The Chairman informed the meeting that the M.P of Makadara told him to forward a list of eligible youth aged between 18-35 years to his office to be recruited into the NYS programmes whereby they were tasked in the cleaning of their respective areas. He reported that in future, it would be through the NYS personnel that the National Government would give first priority in the recruitment into the defence and police service.
He requested court officials to compile a database of youth who were above 18 years as there were many more opportunities not only in the NYS, and that the Association would use this database lobby and secure employment qualified youth in the many institutions in the area.
The Phase 1 Representative informed the meeting that he was not aware of the above exercise because the M.P of Embakasi West did not pass the information to the residents, adding that this exercise had a political angle to it due to the fact that the area M.P had developed a negative attitude toward Phase 1.
It was reported that the M.P never involving area residents or took their views and recommendations as per the new constitution, which clearly stated that any development an area must be debated and passed by area residents.
MIN 4. 12/07/2015: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE AND GAZETTE ON THE TOTAL BAN AND REMOVAL OF WINES AND SPIRITS ESTABLISHMENTS IN AND AROUND THE ESTATES.
It was reported that it was only in Buru Buru where the directive had not been effectively implemented as the wines and spirits that were in operation had now resorted into selling their stock from saloon cars parked at the shopping centre and from the many iron structures purporting to sell khat (miraa), this was clearly evidenced by the many youth who were openly drinking outside these establishments. Some bars were also selling their stock of the second generation alcohol over the counter.
It was highlighted that the liquor selling establishments (bars) at the shopping centre had extended their business onto the verandas and had even put up structures on all the public footpaths and walkways and their presence had brought about moral and social vices, in the influx of twilight girls, setting up of lodgings by most bars and the playing of loud music from 8 am till dawn.
It was reported that some residential house had been converted into massage parlours
It was highlighted as a fact that Buru Buru had changed from the clean organized model estate it was to its current state which now harboured street vendors, structures everywhere, dumpsites and moral decay. Participants wondered if the rules and regulations of the licensing of the above had been revised to allow them to operate in the manner they did in particular in Buru Buru Estate.
It was resolved that it the time had come to put into task the relevant authorities who were in-charge to demand for immediate changes
MIN 5. 12/07/2015: ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman informed the meeting that the time had come for Buru Buru to have a location with its own Assistant chief. He highlighted that administratively and Politically Buru Buru did not appear in the County maps and yet it was one of the oldest and largest Estates in Eastlands and with the required population of residents to qualify for a Location. This would ensure that it got all the essential National and County Government services.
He informed the meeting that He had a meeting with the P.S of Internal Security where he proposed for the creation of a Buru Buru Location. He had informed the P.S that the area was ready as it had the numbers required and the P.S informed him that the Association collect the names and signatures of court residents who were in favour of the formation of a location.
In their meeting it was resolved that the P.S would present the BRWA proposal to the President after which, the P.S would inform the Chairman on their deliberations with the President.
Participants highlighted the fact that area residents had always been taken for granted and resolved that time had come for them to point out and make recommendations on all the issues that affected them particularly in service delivery like street/court lighting, road repair among other concerns.
Of concern was the cold shoulder given to area residents by some elected leaders who even gave excuses when they had been requested to attend the BRWA meetings to meet their electorates and hear their concerns and their recommendations.
It was resolved that a summon in the form of a petition would be done and the next course of action would then be effected as it was clearly evidenced that they had other agendas other than those of their constituents.
It was reported that the Public Utility Land (PUL), behind the PCEA Church was in the process of being grabbed by a politician.
It was then proposed and resolved that the Church be approached and requested to manage the plot before residents met to deliberate on how to use it to their benefit.
The following were elected spearhead the recruitment exercise in their respective Phases:-
Miriam Kasina : -Rabai Road Estate.
Joseph Ochieng :- Pioneer Phase 1 :-
Jonathan. A. Birgen :- Buru Buru Phase 5 EXN next to Buru Buru Phase 1 Primary School.
David Ngugi :- Pioneer / Buru Buru Phase 5 EXN.
Raymond Kipchumba :- and his already formed strong Phase One Committee :-Phase 1.
Evans Mwangi Macharia and Alex Oyolo Omungala :- Buru Buru Nairobi City County Estate.
Stephen N.Mbugua and John.K. Kamau :- Phase 2 West.
Stanley. O. Nambita, Kevin Kimani and Philip Kairu :- Phase 2 East.
Selina Gitau, David.W.Kaunda and John Waweru to liaise with Philip MMwirichia the Phase 3 Rep.
Patrick Anyang, Ambrose.M.Muriithi and Wangare Ndirangu :- Buru Buru Phase 4.
Isaac Irungu :- Phase 5.
The Chairman reminded the meeting to inform their neighbouring court officials to attend the next
court officials meeting which was proposed and passed to be held on the 26th (Sunday) July, 2015 from 3:00 Pm At The K.A.G. Church (East Assembly) Buru Buru, Next To The Orange Telkom Phase 1.
There being no other business the meeting was declared over at 7:00 pm with prayers.
Minutes taken and signed by the Assistant Secretary on behalf of the General Secretary:
Phillip Macharia. Date: ..
Confirmed by:
The Chairman B.R.W.A.
Mr. David Ole Konchella. .. Date: ...
