Newly-elected MP for Babati Urban Constituency, Ms Pauline Gekul, addresses a public meeting in Babati in the past. The Chadema legislator won the 2015 political contest in the area, defeating Kisyeri Chambiri of CCM to ascend to the position that now brings her more challenges as the people’s direct representative. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
No one had a clue of the agenda of Gekul, who was Special Seats Member of Parliament on a Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) ticket representing Manyara Region then, until she clinched the Babati Urban seat in last year’s General Election.
Babati. Among high spirited lawmakers in the 10th Parliament was Pauline Gekul who had tirelessly defended residents of Manyara in the august House on various issues, chief among them was endless land clashes rocking the region.
No one had a clue of the agenda of Gekul, who was Special Seats Member of Parliament on a Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) ticket representing Manyara Region then, until she clinched the Babati Urban seat in last year’s General Election.
She defeated former lawmaker for the constituency Kisyeri Chambiri, who was defending his seat after he served Babati Urban on a Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket for one term only (2010-2015).
Gekul scooped 21,970 votes as opposed to 16,434 cast in favour of his close rival Chambiri. Others eying the seat were Bibiana Mallya on ACT-Wazalendo ticket, who got 544 votes, Rehema Minjo on NCCR-Mageuzi ticket 81, and Manase Nade Boi on United People’s Democratic Party (UPDP) 36.
“Resolving land conflicts inflicting on residents of the constituency is my first priority,” says Gekul, as she thanks Babati Urban residents for not only voting for her, but also casting ballot for councillors on the Chadema ticket in five out of eight wards.
“They’ve given us in the Opposition camp a great hounour of leading Babati Town Council, we promise to serve them with all our hearts,” she says in an interview with Election Platform which wanted to know her priority tasks now that she was sworn in.
Katali Farm at Maisaka Ward was among the challenges she termed majipu -- boils -- with which she would begin to deal, accusing councillors in the immediate past administration of hoarding several plots of which some were not yet paid for.
This is despite residents of the town applying for the plots. “I’ve never grabbed any plot at the farm,” she says, explaining that an audit would be conducted to ascertain those offered the plots, who missed them, and revenue accrued and its expenditure.
Babati residents should expect respect, considerate service, and implementation of all campaign pledges, she says, observing that they had for quite a long time not been heard and that they did not exactly where to report their quandaries
“We’ll in one year set aside land and construct Sh700 million worth of a petty traders’ market,” she says, adding that the move would beautify the township and end harassment to hawkers.
The town council would accomplish all campaign pledges in two years for voters to assess them ahead of the 2020 General Election, she says.
She would make impromptu visits to the town hospital Mrara to ensure it was furnished with drugs and medical equipment, she adds.
“Plans to supply tap water to few wards lacking the precious liquid were underway,” she says, citing Mutuka Ward where a World Bank-funded project was in progress and a proposal Babati Water Supply Authority had submitted to donors.
“We expect to get Sh38 billion for water projects for the township,” says Gekul, adding that each ward would get its rightful share from the Constituency Development Fund, unlike in the past when the money was unfairly distributed.
“The fund belongs to people,” stressed Gekul, vowing that she would never misuse it, for interests of the people were always ahead of her’s.
Who is Gekul?
Born in 1978 in Babati, Gekul is a holder of two degrees in management and administration she pursued at the University of Dar es Salaam between 2002 and 2006.
The wife and mother of two children attended primary school education at Dohom area between 188 and 1994 before she joined Dareda Secondary School for ‘O’ level secondary education in 1995 and Mkwawa High school in Irigna Region in 1999.
Gekul, a member of Iraq ethnic group, is the fourth out of nine children in her family. She currently lives with her husband and children at Bagara Ward in Babati township.
Voter’s take
The majority of voters in the constituency said in separate interviews with Election Platform that they picked most of the candidates on the Chadema ticket because former councillors had abused their posts.
The former councillors oticket colluded with the town council land department officials to sell plots surveyed for them at Maisaka Ward.
One of them, Ms Asha Omary, says the councillors failure to serve the people prompted voters to replace them with new ones.
“The Member of Parliament and councillors we voted for thought they were clever than voters once they clinched the posts,” she explained, as she cautioned the new leaders over repeating the same mistake, lest they punished them through the ballot box come 2020.
Peter Martin reminded the new leaders, saying voters had confidence in them that they would forge development. “They should implement their campaign pledges, for the ballot box will determine their future,” he said.
