Vincent Sambirir explains why the creation of Mt. Elgon County is crucial.
A viewpoint from Vincent Sambirir
A county is the most treasured gift that the Kenyan government can give to the Sabaot community; it is like someone coming home after a long trip.
The tremendous celebration that is going to come up will shake Mt. Elgon, the heavens, and the skies. Everyone will realize and acknowledge that this has been the community’s greatest need.
J.B. Llewellin’s testimony before the Morris Cater Land Commission in 1932 marked a turning point in the Sabaot’s quest to benefit from the country’s independence and the gains of devolution in accordance with the 2010 constitutional dispensation.
The following points were brought up by Llewellin to the Commission;
- The Elgony tribe had lost their claim to their territory and had become squatters, reportedly as a result of white settlers occupying it.
- The Elgony were entitled to Kitale.
- Arap Sangula and his people who were living in the forest, be given 80,000 acres of land that the forest service deemed useless then.
The Sabaot journey to restitution has been difficult and a lengthy one. There have been numerous attempts by way of memoranda and petitions to various government entities, but to no avail.
The TJRC report issued suggestions that would somehow provide compensation or make amends, but as is customary, there has never been goodwill from those in positions of power.
The bill sponsored by Hon Marwa, MP for Kuria East constituency, to amend a section of the Constitution to allow for an additional five counties could not have come at a better time.
Read Also: The campaign to establish Mount Elgon County gathers steam.
For once, the people of Mt. Elgon will see light at the end of the tunnel. The light that has eluded them for decades.
The proposed Mt. Elgon County may not return the lost land, lost lives, property, and human suffering faced in foreign lands, but nevertheless, it is a better bill to take the community from the ICU to home care.
Since Sabaots (Elkony) coexist peacefully with other communities, an additional county will increase opportunities for all tribes in terms of employment, empowerment, development, and coexistence.
