MUNICIPALITIES: THE BENEFITS AND THE CHALLENGES.

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TWO years into power, the Governor Fernandes Barasa's administration is at the tail end of setting up three municipalities in Malava, Butere. 

The advantages of municipalities far much outweigh the disadvantages and from an unknown governance expert, this article was first published in the Citizen Newspaper of Tanzania and outlines as such. 

BENEFITS OF HAVING A MUNICIPALITY

● Access to Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) roads’ infrastructure funding, to which the County is a contributor through the fuel levy but not an automatic beneficiary. Only gazetted municipalities benefit from this fund. ‌
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● ‌Access to international funding is administered in Kenya such as the Kenya Urban Support Programs (KUSP), which is only accessible to municipalities. ‌
Boarders of Butere Municipality as contained in the Assembly adhoc report approved twice and now awaits final process to charter. 

● ‌Globally, the world is structured in such a manner that it recognizes the special challenges faced by urban areas. Subsequently, funds have been set apart by global institutions such as the World Bank, BHC/FCDO the European Union, JICA, USAID, UKAID, the UN and virtually all others only accessible to gazetted urban entities such as cities, municipalities and towns. 

● Access to alternative funding means allowing limited county resources to reach more pockets of the rural areas as municipalities can now fend for themselves, especially for projects requiring huge capital outlays.

With such wide-ranging potential benefits for councils and residents, community action can change people's lives. However, it's worth noting that the benefits can take time to be realised and it may be difficult to attribute them directly to the council's role. 

More Benefits:

Less reliance on frontline services
decreased demand for social care and/or low-level support.

Wellbeing benefits: 
People can become role models within their community. 

People feel empowered through learning new skills. 

Reduced social isolation or loneliness
improved quality of life and better response to crisis events.
Economic benefits:

Higher levels of employment that is of
benefit to local businesses, such as stronger local economy, reduction in reliance on welfare support, training and skills opportunities
Cross-cutting and wider community benefits

Increase in volunteering and the development of skills among volunteers. 

Better understanding of the social assets within the local community. 

Reduced duplication of services
closer or new partnerships across agencies
shared learning and joint funding 
making use of under-utilised community facilities or resources.

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