The National Cohension and Integration Commission has just release a report in which it has flagged out "hot spot counties" which it says may be more prone to conflicts as devolution takes root in Kenya with the new constitution.
The comments that have been attributed to the Commission in the media appear to give a picture of a body listening more to agitators and extremists elements from the minority communities. Take the case of the claim by the Commission that the Kuria were considering the option of waging an armed struggle against, presumably, their more populated Luo neighbours, now together with them in Migori County.
It is understood Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia and his team have been interacting with the Kuria but they have not brought the different communities in the county together to sample their views. Migori County comprises the Luo, Kuria, Abasuba, Luyhia, Somali, Kisii, Nubians, Kikuyu, Asians and a sprinkling of other ethnic groups. All of these, including the Kuria were together in Nyanza Province, in the former South Nyanza District and later in Migori District before Kuria became became a district in 1993.
Over those years, the Kuria never took up arms to fight for the their rights or perceived domination by the Luo. what has suddenly changed now when in fact the provisions in the devolution section of the constitution give them greater recognition and guarantee them equity in the distribution of resources?
Stakeholders and the communities in the county are actually ahead of the Cohesion team as they have been consulting since immediately after the referendum and have achieved consensus in many respects. They have mapped out conflicts, both human and other resources and suggested practical ways of mitigating any conflicts that may arise.
Certainly more views will emerge both in this space and other media to challenge this emerging trend where the commission wants to arrogate unto itself the mandate of amplifying the sentiments of ethnic jingoists, some of whom like in the Kuria case, never supported the constitution but now are seeking to position themselves to benefit from its alluring provisions, not least, the creation of the counties with the additional space for leadership opportunities.
It is understood Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia and his team have been interacting with the Kuria but they have not brought the different communities in the county together to sample their views. Migori County comprises the Luo, Kuria, Abasuba, Luyhia, Somali, Kisii, Nubians, Kikuyu, Asians and a sprinkling of other ethnic groups. All of these, including the Kuria were together in Nyanza Province, in the former South Nyanza District and later in Migori District before Kuria became became a district in 1993.
Over those years, the Kuria never took up arms to fight for the their rights or perceived domination by the Luo. what has suddenly changed now when in fact the provisions in the devolution section of the constitution give them greater recognition and guarantee them equity in the distribution of resources?
Stakeholders and the communities in the county are actually ahead of the Cohesion team as they have been consulting since immediately after the referendum and have achieved consensus in many respects. They have mapped out conflicts, both human and other resources and suggested practical ways of mitigating any conflicts that may arise.
Many stakeholders from the communities in Migori are outraged that such comments can come from a commission that seeks to build cohesion, and more so before it has engaged all the communities in the county in dialogue to sample wider views.
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