Elders from the Sabaot community in Trans Nzoia County have backed a plan by Kuria East Member of Parliament Marwa Kitayama to table a Bill to amend the Constitution to create five more counties.
The Bill seeks to create Kuria County carved from Migori County, Teso carved from Busia County, East Pokot county hived off from Baringo and West Pokot counties while Mount Elgon County carved from Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties and Mwingi carved from Kitui County.
The elders said if fruitful, the move will enable them to fully enjoy the fruits of devolution through the creation of Mt. Elgon County, saying being spread in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties disadvantages them.
“Our people have been marginalized since independence where colonial boundaries segregated us into Kenya and Uganda. Those on the Kenyan side are spread in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties which makes us a minority,” said Gregory Ngeiywa.
They proposed that the Mt. Elgon constituency in Bungoma County should be merged with Saboti and Endebess constituencies in the neighbouring Trans Nzoia County to form the proposed county.
“Having a county of our own will address some of the feuds revolving on historical injustices that have seen some of our people disadvantaged in their quest to seek for equitable sharing of resources,” said Richard Mutai.
They called on leaders in the national assembly and those in the Senate to support the bill once it’s tabled in the legislative houses saying this will promote the economic development spirit of devolution.
“The five counties will be beneficial to the whole country since it will boost economic development by ensuring resources are well shared as required by the 2010 Kenyan constitution,” said Abraham Kiboki.
They also urged all political leaders in the region to throw their weight behind the proposal irrespective of their political affiliations, saying its benefits will have a ripple effect in the region.
