BAHARI

Hon. Benedict Fondo Gunda, MP (ODM)

Having worked in the financial sector, Bahari MP, Benedict Fondo Gunda says he has ideas on how to turn around the constituency. A former banker, Gunda says he is ready to share his knowledge in money matters to help his constituents tap into existing opportunities and create new ones. There are many opportunities like the youth and the women’s fund, but few if any in Bahari have benefited. One is reason is their lack of proposal writing skills," he says." I plan to teach them how to do proposals that can be translated into meaningful business ventures."The former Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) employee says he plans to continue implementing development projects. In the last financial year, Bahari got the highest chunk of CDF money, Sh60 million, and it was ranked the best in project implementation. "My constituents should not expect anything less," says the MP.

Land is the biggest headache the new MP. More than 80 per cent of the population of more than 240, 000 are squatters.The MP blames successive governments for ignoring the plight of squatters at the Coast. He plans to bring a motion in Parliament to force the Government to act on land problems at the Coast. Gunda, a graduate of Commerce from Nairobi University and a retired senior manager of CBA, says he support micro enterprises in the area. "Bahari residents continue to live in poverty despite the fact that they occupy a land of enormous opportunities. Most of the people live along the beaches but they are not benefiting from tourism," says Gunda. With the experience he has in banking, the MP says he will pass his knowledge on to the constituents to help them make sound judgement on financial management.

"Fishing is another sector that could help improve the living standards especially for those living near beaches," he says. "I encourage fishermen in the area to form groups so that they can benefit from cooling facilities we plan to buy."The constituency is also faced with water problems, inadequate health facilities and poor roads.

Gunda was born in1949 at Kizingo village, Nwarakaya location of Chonyi division in Kilifi District.He went to Kizingo and Chije primary schools before he joined Shimo La Tewa Secondary School for both O and A levels. The lawmaker joined the University of Nairobi between 1971-1975. He was employed by CBA as a branch manager for at the Mombasa branch. The MP rose from that position to become senior manager in charge of credit administration in Nairobi office before he retired in 2006. He won on an ODM ticket after beating 22 aspirants at the nomination stage. Gunda is married with whom he has three children.

Immediate former MP: Hon. Joseph Khamis. Other politicians who have served in this constituency inlcudes John Safari Mumba, and Dr. Katana Lewa.

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Sources: THE STANDARD
Story by: Joseph Masha