Proposals to move Mt Elgon sub-county to Trans Nzoia splits leaders

Proposals to move Mt Elgon sub-county to Trans Nzoia splits leaders.

A petition seeking to hive off Mt Elgon sub-county from Bungoma County and move it to the neighbouring Trans-Nzoia County has divided Sabaot leaders.

Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi and his predecessor John Serut, who oppose the plan, accused a top county leader of pushing the scheme for selfish political gains.

“As the community spokesperson, I will not allow Mt Elgon to be hived off Bungoma County. We will resist any move by some groups of people out to make political mileage from the issue," said Mr Kapondi.

Two residents, Dan Chepkiirn and Martin Chemasuet, have forwarded a petition to the Senate which argues that community members are being discriminated against because they straddle both counties.

"The administrative district boundaries by the colonial government in 1962 did not consider the distribution of the Sabaot, who are same tribe and share a similar culture and history," they argue, adding that the administrative change will benefit members socially and economically.