Residents of Chamkok Sub County in Abim District are struggling to access social services due to a conflict over the sub-county boundaries.
Since its inception in 2018, the sub-county which had been claimed by both Kotido and Abim districts has had no single school, or health unit, with only a few water sources sometimes shared with animals.
The residents say that they have been neglected by their leaders who they say are only interested in enriching themselves.
Joseph Olum, a resident of Bandaka village in Chamkok sub county says they are upset by the lack of service delivery. Olum says that they have made several requests to their local leaders but it seems their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
Olum says that they struggle to access services like Education and health care from Alerek Town council which is about 20 kilometers away.
Mary Auma, another resident, says they have suffered for many years walking long distances to access clean water which puts their lives at risk given the current insecurity in the region.
Auma revealed that pregnant mothers are facing challenges in accessing antenatal services and many are relying on traditional birth attendants.
“We just endure with life here, you have to walk far kilometers to access water, the only nearby health facility here is Alerek health center which is about 18 kilometers away, and our roads are not secure. We really call upon the government to help us’’ Auma pleaded.
Marino Abala Otuu, the LCIII Chairperson Chamkok sub county says that many residents have lost their lives, especially those in critical condition while being referred to Lokitelebu health center III in Kotido district.
Otuu says he has written reports to the district authorities about the crisis and is still waiting for their response.
Godfrey Okech, the Abim Vice Chairperson and also the district Secretary of Finance says the burden of social service deliveries was caused by the border conflict between the two districts of Abim and Kotido. He says the boundaries have finally been rectified and the sub-county now falls under Abim District.
Okech noted that although the sub-county missed out on several developments, the district is now committed to bringing service nearer to its people and saving them from trekking long distances to access services.
He says there are already plans to establish boreholes in areas worst hit by the water crisis, and one community school has been forwarded to the ministry of education to be accorded.
Okech also added that since the sub-county is just starting to set up its own facilities, the community will be sharing the health facility in Alerek Town Council as they wait for their own.
Chamkok sub county carved from Alerek Town council and it is hosting communities from Kotido, Abim, and a few Iteso.
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