Push to Increase Counties to 58 Gains Momentum

A group of 26 Members of Parliament (MPs) now want the number of counties in Kenya to be increased to 58 from the current 47.

The legislators argue that the provision of the 47 devolved units was not final but a basis for the start of a new dispensation pending a more deliberate delimitation process.

According to the 26 MPs, the adoption of the 47 counties has led to economic, social, and political marginalization of some parts of the country.

“Adoption of the 47 counties has led to unequal access of political processes, restricted access to resources and inadequate service delivery as well as untimely undermining the promotion of national unity and inclusivity,” MP Kuria East Marwa Kitayama stated.

Moreover, in a joint memorandum to the National Dialogue Committee, the lawmakers noted that the proposal for 11 additional counties is driven by limited representation within county boundaries for marginalized groups.

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“We urge the National Dialogue Committee to support the proposal to delaminate 10 additional counties and the upcoming Nyambene to address these critical constitutional matters,” he added.

They further stated that limited representation within county boundaries in terms of resources increases poverty levels in these regions.

11 Proposed Counties

1. Kuria County presently part of Migori County
2. Teso County presently part of Busia County
3. Mount Elgon County from the existing Bungoma and Transzoia Counties
4. East Pokot County presently part of Baringo and West Pokot Counties
5. Mwingi County presently part of Kitui County
6. Gucha County presently part of Kisii County
7. Suba County presently part of Homabay County
8. Ijara County presently part of Garissa County
9. Nakuru West presently part of Nakuru County
10. Wajir South presently part of Wajir County
11. Nyambene County from the existing Embu County

As such, the MPs called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to delimit the boundaries of the new counties from the old counties within six months of the commencement of the Act.

MPs Pushing for 11 Additional Counties

Furthermore, the group of 26 legislators pushing for the additional counties include Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama, Kuria West MP Mathias Nyamabe, Teso North MP Edward Oku, Teso South MP Mary Emaase, and Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi.

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Others are Endebedess MP Robert Pukose, Tiaty MP William Kassait, Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mutemi, Mwingi North MP Paul Musyemi, Mwingi West MP Charles Ngusya, and Kitui MP Irene Muthoni.

Likewise, Bomachage Chache MP Alfa Ondieki, Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro, Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri, Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Ijara MP Abdi Ali Abdi, and Kuresoi South MP Joseph Tonui are also part of the faction pushing for more counties.

Similary, Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai, Rongai MP Paul Chebir, Nakuru West MP Samwel Arama, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, Nakuru County MP Liza Chelule and Wajir South MP Mohammed Adow are lawmakers championing to have 58 Counties in Kenya.

Nevertheless, the members of parliament have argued that their proposal did not require a referendum, as some experts had suggested.