- The creation of the new counties is expected to address the country’s perennial challenges of ethnic antagonism that has been blamed for tribal tensions.
- The nill by Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama proposes the creation of five new counties of Kuria, Teso, Mount Elgon, East Pokot and Mwingi.
Image: EMOJONG OSERE
Image: EMOJONG OSERE
Politics surrounding a bill seeking to increase the number of counties from the current 47 to 52 took centre stage during Madaraka Day celebrations in Busia.
The bill by Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama proposes the creation of five new counties of Kuria, Teso, Mount Elgon, East Pokot and Mwingi.
There have been conflicting reports in Busia since November last year when Kitayama drafted the proposed law over whether some leaders in the county are against or in its support.
On Thursday, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma who graced Madaraka Day celebrations at Amagoro Primary School in Teso North lauded area MP Oku Kaunya for the courage to lobby for the bill’s passage in Parliament first before marketing the idea in the county.
The governor cautioned the second time MP against whipping up emotions over the proposal, a development he said may cause divisions in the county, which currently enjoys peace.
“I want to tell my brother Oku Kaunya, today, you have spoken well. This issue of splitting Busia into two, currently, is a Parliament issue,” the former Local Government minister said.
“But the way you were conveying the message earlier was misleading because some people used to say when Sospeter Ojaamong was head of the county, this issue was not raised. How come this proposal is being made when Otuoma has taken over the governorship?”
Otuoma is from the dominant Luhya community in Busia, with the Iteso being the second largest tribe.
The county chief, at the time the debate over the proposed law starter said leaders should not use the issue to split residents.
He said Busia was peaceful and that whoever feels the urge to create a new county should follow the rightful channels of the law to actualise the proposal.
“In fact, the way you have put it, we want to assure you that we will support you,” Otuoma said. “But for now, deal with that proposal in Parliament first. If it passes, bring it down to the people.”
The governor spoke in response to an earlier remark by Kaunya who said he was lobbying in Parliament for the passage of the bill.
The MP said the bill had sizeable support in Parliament, expressing optimism the proposed law will sail through in the House before being subjected to a popular vote.
Kaunya triggered debate over the issue when he claimed President William Ruto was in full support of the proposed changes to the constitution.
The MP at the same time had said he was delighted a section of leaders in Busia whom he alleged were initially opposed to the bill had made an about-turn and were now backing the proposed law.
“That bill that was proposed by Kitayama is still in Parliament and we have met as MPs from regions where the new counties will be,” Kaunya said.
“We have met the Speaker of Parliament and I want to inform you that there are sections that need to be amended. But the proposal to have Teso county, Mt Elgon county, Kuria county, Mwingi county and East Pokot county is still there. You remember when the President toured Kuria, the Kuria community put him to task to inform them if the proposal will pass and the President said the new counties will be formed.”
Otuoma said lobbying for the bill’s approval in Parliament should be Kaunya’s first assignment.
The former Funyula MP said Busia is known for peace and preaching for cohesiveness should be every leader’s responsibility amid proposal to split the county into two.
Deputy Governor Arthur Odera in support of the governor said the manner in which the Teso North lawmaker initially popularised the bill did not follow the law.
“To my brother Oku Kaunya, I am happy you have spoken the truth today. Because when you started this issue of Teso county, you claimed there were people who were against it. But I took my time to look around and see if there was anybody against the creation of a new county and I did not see anyone,” Odera who served as Teso North MP between 2013 and 2017 said.
“Now you are focusing on the right thing. If you believe that you can push for the creation of Teso county, we will wait for you when the referendum comes. But for now, go and do the lobbying in Parliament with your colleagues. Lobby and get two thirds of the vote in the House. That is the job you have now.
“In Parliament it is you who has the vote. Do your work in Parliament, pass that bill and if it comes to us at referendum level that is where we will negotiate and see how it goes. There is no need to propagate hate. At our level, we are waiting for the referendum.”
The bill, according to Kitayama, will address the country’s perennial challenges of ethnic antagonism that has been blamed for tribal tensions.
In his Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2022, the MP proposes that the new five counties will be hived off regions where minority communities are stifled by dominant ones.
Clause 5 of the bill mandates the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to delimit the additional counties from Migori, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia, Baringo and West Pokot and Kitui, respectively, within six months of the commencement of the Act.
However, according to the constitution, creating additional counties would require a popular vote in a referendum once Parliament successfully approves the Bill.
The proposal to increase the number of counties has a consequent amendment to both Articles 97 and 98 that will also enhance elected woman representatives and senators from 47 to 52, take the composition of the Kenyan Parliament to 426, up from the current 416 lawmakers.
According to the constitution, a proposed amendment shall be approved by a referendum if at least 20 per cent of the registered voters in each of at least half (24) of the counties vote in the referendum.