Members of the Tachoni community, a Luhya sub-tribe in Bungoma county have lauded President William Ruto for appointing their female members to key state position.
The move follows the appointment of former Parliamentary Service Commission member Lornah Mumelo to the Powers of Mercy Advisory Committee.
Tachoni community elder Patrick Sitati said they were grateful to the President for recognising the Luhya sub-tribe which he said has been marginalised for many years.
“As a community, we want to thank President Ruto for incorporating us in his government through this appointment that will last for the next five years. We are elated as a community, and will support his administration to fulfil his manifesto,” Sitati said.
Ruto also appointed Jane Khasoa from the same community to serve as Deputy Ambassador UNESCO, France.
“The good relationship between the President and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is bearing fruits and I urge the community to throw our weight behind these leaders,” Sitati added.
Mumelo's appointment was communicated in a Gazette notice dated October 6, 2023, in which President Ruto appointed seven members to serve for five years in the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy.
The others are Patrick Musau, John Kutswa Olaka, Edward Kibiwott Boor, Humpton Rogers Namu, Bishar Maalim Abdullahi and Jane Wanjiru Kuria.
Mumelo has previously served as a commissioner with the Parliamentary Service Commission and was previously the Chief Principal at Moi Girls Nangili.
The Powers of Mercy is a constitutional body established under Article 133 of the constitution. Its core mandate is to advice the President on the exercise of the power of mercy.
Through the President, the body is responsible for granting a free or conditional pardon to a person convicted of an offence, postponing the carrying out of a punishment, substituting a less severe form of punishment or remitting all or part of a punishment.
The Tachoni community are found in Webuye, Chetambe Hills and Ndivisi parts of Bungoma county. Other members live in parts of Lugari in Kakamega and in Trans Nzoia county.