Nakuru residents have urged politicians to tone down their push for more constituencies and counties, even as the country warms up to the Boundaries Review in 2024.
Led by businessman Dennis Chege, the residents opposed the demands for splitting Nakuru to form another county and the creation of more constituencies, saying the area is cosmopolitan.
“Nakuru is a very important county in terms of peace as it is cosmopolitan with all tribes hosted here," Chege said.
“We have seen a certain class of politicians who are pushing and pulling for creation of Nakuru West county, which may affect the peace and cohesion of the region. Let’s go slow, it’s only a year after the elections, let’s give the governor and president time to work."
Chege added, “We sympathise with fellow Kenyans that the cost of living has gone up, but this is not the right time to start politicking when we are trying to survive.”
Human Rights Network Project coordinator Calvin Amunga said hiving off constituencies will demand a constitutional change.
“Boundary delimitation is a constitutional process anchored in Article 89 of the Constitution and must be done between eight to 12 years after the last review was done. It will focus on the names and boundaries of constituencies and wards," he said.
“However, the number of constituencies can only be changed if the Constitution is amended, otherwise they remain 290 as per the Constitution but wards may be increased.”
Residents of Kapkures in Nakuru West subcounty have also been lobbying to have a constituency as part of Nakuru City, refusing to be separated from Mauche, which has also been proposed to stand as a constituency.
