A political row has erupted in Elgeyo Marakwet County after elders, professionals, youth, and community leaders from the Keiyo community resolved to push for creation of their county.
Keiyo community members say they are angered that they are not benefiting from the Elgeyo Marakwet county where they are the majority.
Since the advent of devolution, the top elective positions in the county have been dominated by leaders from the Marakwet community, which is minority.
The elders and professionals converged at the community's sacred Tingwa Hills where they passed a declaration to push for Keiyo community unity and other interests including the creation of their county.
Robert Rono, who is chairman of the Keiyo county caucus, read of the resolutions after elders performed rituals to endorse the declaration.
“As the Keiyo community, we feel so marginalised hence our new push to use all means possible, and no matter how long it takes we want to have our county known as Keiyo County so that we can chart our destiny,” Rono said.
Other leaders from the community who spoke while making the Tingwa Hills declaration included youth leader Victor Kiprotich alias Babu, Mzee Samwel Barkoiyet, and Monicah Toroitich Kibet.
Some of the community members present had already donned branded T-shirts for the proposed Keiyo county.
“To push for our agenda we have first to ensure unity of the Keiyo nation in Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia and across Kenya,” Rono said.
Rono said they would also push for employment opportunities for youth from the Keiyo community and work to strengthen the community’s culture.
The community leaders endorsed a decision to have a national spokesperson for the community who will help to address issues at all levels of government and other relevant forums.
“We have also endorsed a move to have a global ambassador for the Keiyo community who will champion our issues locally and abroad,” said Rono.
The community also resolved to push for compensation for the residents affected by the collapse of the Fluorspar Mines Company and compensation for those affected by wildlife conflicts at the Rimoi National Game Reserve.
Kiprotich said they would push for national government appointments and promotions for professionals from the region, especially those serving as civil servants, teachers, and security officers.
The community also wants to be involved in the conservation of the Kaptagat forest and to benefit from national government resources.
The Tingwa Hills declaration has sparked wide debate on social media forums and at meetings in the county.