Nyeri MPs ask for two more seats

By JOB WERU

Nyeri County MPs demand two more constituencies from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

On Wednesday the legislators rejected the report by IEBC for failing to recommend additional electoral areas in the county and demanded creation of two new electoral units to be hived from the larger Kieni and Mathira constituencies.

The MPs told the commission sitting in Nyeri that they were opposed to the use of the Andrew Ligale commission report, which they described as a "fraud against humanity".

Led by Special Programmes Minister Esther Murugi and Assistant Minister Kabando wa Kabando, the MPs said the Ligale report had disregarded Kieni as an arid area, which would have been to the advantage of the people.

Ms Murugi, who presented a memorandum on their behalf, said the report was unconstitutional because it referred to provinces, which were non-existent in the Constitution.

"We are, therefore, united in demanding creation of two new constituencies that comprise Kieni East, Kieni West, Mathira East and Mathira West," said Murugi.

Mathira MP Ephraim Maina advised the commission against adopting the report that recommended creation of 80 new constituencies. He said the report denied Central region and other areas in North Eastern, Coast and Nyanza proper representation.

Necessary representation

"I hope these public meetings are not a public relations exercise. Central MPs and colleagues from other regions have moved to court to block adoption of the report since it was betraying Kenyans," said the MP. We urge you to give these deserving Kenyans a chance to be accorded the necessary representation."

The participants, however, left IEBC officials, led by commissioner Thomas Letangule bewildered after they failed to indicate how the constituencies would be formed.

Murugi only noted that Nyeri Municipality, which she represents, would donate some portion to one of the new constituencies to be formed in Kieni.

"We must have two new constituencies and do not ask us how they will be carved because that is your work," Murugi told the commission.

The forum was also attended by MPs Nemesyus Warugongo (Kieni) and FT Nyammo (Tetu).

Kabando said the memorandum had blessings from President Kibaki, who is the MP for Othaya.

Nyeri County has six constituencies, namely Kieni, Mathira, Nyeri Town, Tetu, Othaya and Mukurwe-ini.