- They agreed that there is a need to unite the Maa communities across all counties in Kenya and foster lasting community unity.
- The Maa Economic Bloc, they said, provides a platform to advance Maa culture to the benefit of the entire community and promote their dialect.
Image: KURGAT MARINDANY.
Maa leaders from across the country held a consultative meeting in Naivasha on Friday to discuss formation of an economic bloc.
This is aimed at uniting the Maa community.
The meeting brought together elected leaders from Narok, Kajiado, Samburu, Laikipia, Baringo and Nakuru counties.
It was attended by governors Joseph Lenku (Kajiado), Patrick Ntutu (Narok) and Lati Lelelit (Samburu).
They agreed that there is a need to unite the Maa community across all counties in Kenya.
The leaders agreed that there had been some semblance of unity since the formation of the Narok-Kajiado Economic Bloc (NAKAEB).
The Maa leadership resolved to form the Maa Economic Bloc, and the parties signed a cooperation agreement.
It was also agreed that quarterly meetings of the Maa leadership be held to address matters of common interest.
Governor Ntutu briefed the meeting about the Mau Forest crisis and it was agreed that the leadership should follow up and address the boundary issues.
The leaders noted as a matter of concern that many families are already evicted from the Mau.
The Maa leadership was mandated to follow up on historical injustices meted out to their communities and seek restitution and reparation.
The leaders pointed out that Maa members living in the diaspora should be involved in the unity initiative.
“Maa diaspora meeting slated for August in the United States of America to be organised by the Maa Economic Bloc leadership for economic empowerment,” they said.
They also recommended that Maa church elders and councils of elders should be involved in such meetings.
It was also suggested that the professional arm of the Maa in collaboration with Maasai Mara University be involved in advancing research on matters of common interest to the Maa Economic Bloc.
The Maa Economic Bloc, they said, provides a platform to advance Maa culture to the benefit of the entire community and promote their language.
All Maa-speaking members of the National Assembly, they said, are to be included as an arm of the Maa Economic Bloc.
The leaders agreed that county attorneys from the Maa bloc facilitate legislation to include the the members of the National Assembly.
The Maa leadership resolved to include elected leaders from other counties in the Maa leadership summit to help them advocate the needs of the Maa people in other counties.
The governors agreed to adopt small Maa ethnic groups for purposes of unity.
It was agreed that Samburu should adopt Marsabit and Isiolo, Narok to adopt Laikipia and Kajiado to adopt Baringo.
The Maa leadership summit resolved to identify common flagship projects to be financed jointly.
The summit requested an appointment with President William Ruto to mobilise resources to finance their projects.
The Maa leadership, they said, should push for the creation of the Ilchamus constituency.
They also agreed to address the Kenya police reservists issue in Isiolo, adding that the matter be addressed to the President and Interior Cabinet Secretary for security reasons.
The Maa Economic Bloc, they agreed, will have a conflict resolution arm to address internal conflicts amicably.
Other issues the leaders discussed and resolved included the following:
▪️A resolution that on all national and important national days, Maa leaders should don traditional regalia,
▪️The Maa Cultural Week should be held every fourth week of August.
▪️Modalities for regularising Amboseli National Park as a Kajiado relic should be completed immediately.
▪️Samburu should be admitted to Narok Kajiado Economic Block (NAKAEB), and subsequently, the name should be changed to Maa Economic Bloc.
Image: KURGAT MARINDANY.