Sabaot Community Responds Firmly to Trans Nzoia Governor’s Statements on Proposed Mt. Elgon County
The Sabaot Community, representing its diverse members including Elders, Clergy, Professionals, Women, and Youth, has issued a strongly worded response to recent remarks made by the Governor of Trans Nzoia County, His Excellency George Natembeya, regarding the proposed creation of Mt. Elgon County.
The Governor’s statements, deemed inflammatory and divisive, have sparked controversy and ignited a demand for respectful dialogue among the communities involved.
The Sabaot Community’s statement centers on two specific occasions when Governor Natembeya openly expressed his opposition to the creation of Mt. Elgon County.
On April 18, 2023, during an event in Cherangany Constituency, the Governor declared:
“Hakuna mtu atagawa Transzoia kwa maana imechorwa kwa mawe… wale wanataka kubadilisha wanaota….”
The Governor’s remarks were seen as not only insensitive but also discriminatory, particularly due to his choice of words.
Continuing their rebuke of the Governor’s stance, the Sabaot Community highlighted a subsequent incident on August 23, 2023, in which Governor Natembeya vehemently opposed any partition of Trans Nzoia County, attributing the desire for division to ungratefulness on the part of the Sabaot Community.
The community raised questions about the inconsistency in the Governor’s approach,
“What measure is the Governor using to determine ungratefulness yet Teso County is being proposed to be hived from Busia County which has had a previous Governor from the Teso community.” Kathleen Jemima stated on behalf of the community.
The Sabaot Community expressed its concern over the Governor’s confrontational and uncooperative approach, given that the issue of county creation falls within the jurisdiction of the Parliament and adheres to established constitutional frameworks.
While the proposed bill for county boundaries is under discussion in the Senate, the community emphasized the need for respectful discourse and a democratic process free from intimidation.
“The Governor should allow the members of the Senate to exercise their constitutional powers without any form of intimidation and when the time for the County Creation bill arrives, should allow the entire legal and political process take its course without further creating early tensions.”
In their press release, the Sabaot Community emphasized that the creation of Mt. Elgon County aligns with the principles of devolution enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution.
“We the Sabaots excitedly, joyfully, and with gratitude welcome the two proposed bills with a lot of happiness as it will aid us in addressing a big part of what has been envisioned in the objects of devolution…”
They called for an end to divisive rhetoric and urged Governor Natembeya to play a constructive role in supporting the creation of Mt. Elgon County by suggesting potential areas for cession from Trans Nzoia County:
“We therefore feel that the utterances by the Governor were discriminatory and defeat the core requirements of rule of law…”
