Members of Kabor clan in Rangwe subcounty have protested against state's failure to name a new sublocation as they had proposed.
The Ministry of Interior recently created new administrative boundaries with some counties getting new subcounties, divisions, locations and sublocations.
The units done through a gazette notice were released last week.
In the gazette notice, one of the sublocations created in Homa Bay is called Asumbi Town.
But for members of Kabor clan have rejected the name saying it will make them lose their identity.
They want the government to name it Kabor sublocation and draw new boundary with other members of their clan such as Kadima and Nyamager.
Some members of the clan on Thursday held a peaceful protest in Rangwe town to show their dissatisfaction over the matter.
They presented their petition to the office of Rangwe Deputy County Commissioner Alphet Jillo in Rangwe town.
In the petition presented to the Interior ministry, the community issued a two weeks ultimatum to have the name changed.
The Kabor Community Development Forum on May 25, 2023, said they had proposed the name before the boundary review was done and wanted the new sublocation named Kabor.
Group secretary Stephen Ochando said the area is vast with at least 420 households and 17 learning institutions.
“We humbly request for a positive consideration towards this because it will bring services closer to the people and hence easier administration,” read part of the petition.
Another petition was filed on February 6, 2024, just days before the gazettement of the new units.
Ochando, in the second petition said the community wanted creation of Kabor sublocation.
Community activist Caleb Amwata said sub-division of boundaries makes it easier for residents to get government services.
They asked the Interior, Coordination and Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to come to their aide.
Amwata said they channeled their grievances to Omollo when he visited Homa Bay.
According to Amwata, the name of their clan came into being before Asumbi and this should have been considered before naming the new sublocation.
“Asumbi Town sublocation is amorphous name because it has no links with this clan. Kabor is the name we know that has our roots,” Amwata said.
They also want Kajulu to remain a sublocation with the same boundaries it had previously. In the new creation, some parts of Kajulu were curved and taken to Asumbi Town.
They want Kajulu to start from Nyaundho to Aficho.
David Winyo, a resident of Kabor, said naming the new unit Asumbi is misleading.
He said the name Asumbi may have been swayed by the population within the area.
“The people there are not permanent residents unlike us who live on ancestral land. They are there temporarily and will leave after completing their education,” Winyo said.
Jillo received their petition and promised to forward it to the relevant offices.
