As the raging debate to have counties increased hots up, another legislator has proposed the creation of Gucha county.
Bomachoge MP Alpha Miruka, in his bill, is seeking to amend the Constitution to increase the counties to 48 by splitting Kisii to form Gucha.
“Within six months of the commencement of this Act, IEBC shall delimit the boundaries of Gucha from the existing Kisii,” the draft bill reads.
It adds, “In delimiting the boundaries of Gucha, the commission shall consult all interested parties, take into account community of interest, historical, economic and cultural ties and ensure the county comprises at least two constituencies.”
Miruka said Gucha county will have four constituencies of Bomachage chache, Bomachage borabu, South migirango and Bobasi.
“Devolution was to have services closer to the people, you cannot tell me a resident should walk for more than 30 kilometres to be served by a governor in Kisii,” the UDA MP told the press on Tuesday.
The move by the lawmaker comes in the wake of a new effort by Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama who wants the number of counties increased to 52.
Kitayama who has written a notice to the Speaker to have the devolved units increased says the Constitution established 47 counties but there is no scientific basis for the number as it was based on the districts formed in 1992.
The five, he says, will be achieved through the creation of Kuria county hived off from Migori, Teso county carved from Busia and East Pokot county from Baringo and West Pokot.
Other new counties, he is proposing are Mount Elgon county carved from Bungoma and Trans Nzoia and Mwingi carved from Kitui.
