Locals plan to share elective posts

By Osinde Obare

Communities in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties have agreed to make pre-election agreements on the sharing of elective posts to enhance regional cohesion.

Elders from Bukusu, Sabaot, and Teso communities reached the agreement at a peace forum held in Kitale convened by Free Pentecostal Fellowship of Kenya (FPFK) Peace and Rights programme.

The forum meant to encourage dialogue among communities noted  that political intolerance was the most likely cause of election conflicts.

Bukusu Council of Elders leader Henry Wanyonyi said deliberations would be made among all aspirants on which community should take which seat in these counties to avoid tension after polls.

voting zones

Sabaot Council of Elders chairman Reuben Buttaki praised the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) for creating extra voting zones to ensure marginalised communities in the region have a chance to lead.

“We endorse the voting zones created by IEBC and we plan to have pre-poll negotiations on sharing of political seats which will help avoid an eruption of conflicts,” he said.

The peace forum resolved to ensure that all other minority groups who reside in the counties are represented.

“It is important for minority groups to be brought on board to ensure that they are not left out in developmental and political decisions affecting the region,” added Buttaki

FPFK, credited for restoring peace among communities in Trans-Nzoia and Bungoma Counties,  said it would soon launch countrywide peace discussions to unite the local communities.

The meetings will be dubbed  “Enhancing political tolerance through dialogue for county cohesion”.

Coordinator of the peace forum Festus Mukoya lauded the media for its peace efforts.

peace agreement

“We are happy to see efforts by the mainstream media in its peace advocacy role. We salute its participation in enhancing cohesion,” said Mukoya.

The forum also called for the implementation of a peace agreement which was signed last year at Mabanga area in Bungoma County. This was signed to champion for peaceful co-existence among the communities.

The Mabanga peace agreement was signed last year in the presence of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

 Its main aim was to bring to long awaited end to historical animosities which were seen to exist among the Bukusu, Sabaot and Teso communities in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties.