Monday, January 16, 2012

Protests over boundaries report



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By NOAH CHEPLOEN ncheploen@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, January 15  2012 at  22:30
Three communities have opposed the recently released boundaries report and warned of new clashes if it is passed.
The Endorois, Turkanas and Pokots claims their views were not incorporated when creating the boundaries of new and existing wards.
The Endorois held demonstrations on Sunday at Koriema and Loboi opposing a move to curve out wards in the newly-created Mochongoi constituency in Baringo County.
The decision, the demonstrators said, favoured their neighbours the Illchamus who they say got seven out of the nine wards that were created.
According to the report by the Indepedent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) the new wards are: Makutani, Salabani, Ngambo, Marigat ,Loboi, Chebinyiny-Arabel, Kimoriot,Illchamus and Mochongoi. (READ: Poll body launches report on new boundaries)
However, the Endorois were for the creation of Mochongoi , Illchamus, Mogoswok and Bogoria wards.
Leaders led by Mr Charles Kamuren and lawyer Raymond Kipkenei claimed that some parts inhabited by the community have been unfairly taken to Baringo Central through the creation of a new ward called Kabarnet East after the Kimondis Ewalel Soi ward was scrapped.
Both however said they supported the creation of Mochongoi constituency. They are only opposed to the manner in which the wards were shared out.
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“We have issued a 21-day notice to the IEBC to reverse the decision or we will go to court,” said Mr Kipkenei.
They called for an urgent solution to stem the tension that is building up between the Endorois and Illchamus.
“We have never lived in peace with our neighbours and this decision will worsen the situation,” said Mr Richard Yegon, chairman of Endorois Welfare council.
Endorois and Njemps/Illchamus are legally recognized as minority groups and have in the past fought court battles locally and internationally.
Another row
Endorois are estimated to be about 60,000 while Illchamus are about 40,000 respectively. Another row has emerged between the Pokot and Turkana communities over boundaries.
Rift Valley PC Osman Warfa said last week that the Pokots are claiming 19 areas. The areas include Mt Silale, which has huge geothermal capacity.

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