Minorities fear exclusion, demand fair share of county seats

By Michael Chepkwony and Edwin Cheserek

After the historic elections under the new law, elected leaders are tasked with ensuring fair representation.

This applies especially in counties where negotiated democracy among ethnic communities did not materialise.

Communities brought under one county in the North Rift had warmed up to the idea of sharing elected seats. But the idea did not work in some counties where some communities swept nearly all seats, raising fear of exclusivity.

Minority communities have now come out to demand nomination slots in the county governments to remedy the situation. They hope to take advantage of nominations based on gender balance in the county assemblies and appointments to the Governor cabinets.

Terik community in Nandi County has appealed to parties to consider its members for nomination. The Terik people are a Kalenjin group inhabiting Nandi South District near Rift Valley-Western border.

Led by Terik council of elders’ spokesman John Bor, they decried the lack of representation, adding they have suffered marginalisation for years.

Grievances

He said: “During elections we are promised our grievances shall be addressed through incorporation of our own into leadership but nothing has happened”.

Among their grievances include lack of title deeds to the lands they occupy. Speaking to the press on Thursday at Kapsabet hotel, Terik elders said they are raising their complaints in time.

“We want President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy-elect William Ruto to have it in mind as they prepare to lead the nation,” said Bor.

The Terik are believed to have historically migrated to Nandi from Mt Elgon region. Bor said having representation in the Government at national and county level would ensure they receive attention.