Emotions ran high at Bomas of Kenya when members of the Sabaot community made their presentation to the National Dialogue Committee on Monday.
Members of the community who had accompanied Trans Nzoia/Mt Elgon Professional Association could not hold back tears as the group explained why they wanted a county of their own.
They want the county to be known as Mt Elgon, hived off from Bungoma in Western and Trans Nzoia county in the Rift Valley.
The Sabaot is one of the nine sub-tribes of the Kalenjin of Kenya and Uganda.
Lawrence Kimutai said the colonial boundary separating Bungoma and Mt Elgon has divided the community.
"The boundary has been used to take land away from the Sabaot. It is a historical injustice that has made us captives," Kimutai said.
He said the Sabaot community has been protesting over the issue since 1932.
He said the colonial boundary within River Kamagoywo, which separates the Sabaot communities in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, was erroneously put.
"Part of the community is in Bungoma and another in Trans Nzoia. This has made us minorities in the two counties," he explained.
Former Bungoma County Assembly deputy speaker Jane Chebet said there is no justification to have the Sabaot community separated by a boundary.
"We want the Bungoma/Trans Nzoia boundary altered. We wish to be governed under one administration. We are a minority and marginalised," she told the committee.
The group further said time was ripe for Mt Elgon Constituency to be split into two- Mt Elgon East and Mt Elgon West constituencies.
"We are lacking representation at the national level," Kimutai said.
He said almost all elective positions go to other communities because they are a minority.
