The campaign to establish Mount Elgon County gathers steam.
Members of the Sabaot Community in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties have intensified calls for the creation of Mt. Elgon County a few weeks after a bill to create five new counties was revealed.
A caucus bringing on board elders and professionals from the community, held a consultative meeting at the SDA Church in Kapsokwony to request the entire community to be part of constitutional amendments.
The group also welcomed the support from the Luhya community, saying that they had lived together for a long time and that the creation of Mt. Elgon County would not affect the peaceful relationship they have had for ages.
“We also want to thank the members of the Luhya community for standing with us in the push for the creation of Mt. Elgon County, We have enjoyed a peaceful relationship, and this will not affect the peace that we have enjoyed,” one of the elders said.
They also resolved to form a delegation that will pay a special visit to President William Ruto at the State House.
Read Also: Vincent Sambirir explains why the creation of Mt. Elgon County is crucial.
In a separate press release, Gregory Ngeiywa noted that the community had been segregated into two parts, one in Kenya and the other in Uganda. He said that the Kenyan team is spread out in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties.
“Our people have been marginalized since independence when colonial boundaries segregated us into Kenya and Uganda. Those on the Kenyan side are spread out in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, which makes us a minority,” said Gregory Ngeiywa.
Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama says that the bill “will solve the perennial issues like marginalization, divisive elections, and resource distribution.”
“The amendment shall ensure that the objects of devolution are realized and that the rights of minorities and the marginalized are promoted and protected. These amendments allow some specific minorities the right to manage their own affairs and further their own development,” reads the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
