Members of the Iteso community living in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties have decried marginalisation saying they hope the BBI will address their plight.
Speaking in Bungoma town on Saturday, the Iteso Council of Elders led by chairman Joseck Okisayi said the previous governments have neglected the community in appointments to lucrative state positions.
“We are calling on President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider appointing professionals from the Iteso community during the reorganisation of his government as we have plenty of such individuals within our community,” Okisayi said.
He said the community has produced great scholars, but many have been overlooked in appointments of Cabinet secretaries, Principal secretaries and ambassadors .
The elders said they are supporting the Building Bridges Initiative because it will address the plight of communities that have been marginalised.
“We already as a community gave our grievances to the BBI team and we are hoping that they will be captured in the final report,” council members Jesse Otekei said.
Otekei said the community should not be left out during the Luhya unity drive, saying the initiative should also capture the Sabaot community.
“We want to be part of the larger western region unity and this should not only capture the Luhya community,” he said.
The elders said they support the selection of Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Opranya and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa as regional spokespersons.
Edited by P.O
