One Voice Is Key to Getting Mt. Elgon County- Residents Advised

By Isabella Maua

Residents within Mt. Elgon have been advised to hold as many forums as possible and, in unison, come up with a memorandum towards pushing for their own county.

Former leadership and opinion leaders across Elgon and Kaptama wards held a discussion with IEBC on Monday, courtesy of KAREU MPYA CBO, in the quest to sensitize them on matters related to boundary delimitation.

While addressing the quorum, Evelyn Chumba, Deputy Returning Officer, Mt.Elgon Sub County, advised that IEBC has no power to reduce or increase constituencies but can only revise, merge, or divide them.

She also expressed her gratitude towards KAREU MPYA CBO for presenting such an informative forum where IEBC can give civic education to wananchi despite not being functional.

“Currently, IEBC has no mandate or ability to execute any duties since it doesn’t have commissioners in office, but KAREU has done us proud to hold this vitally necessary forum as we await to resume normal duties in due time,” noted Chumba.

Former Bungoma Deputy Governor Hillary Chemoywo also encouraged the opinion leaders present to continue sensitizing locals and properly guiding them so that they prolifically speak about the division of Mt. Elgon into 2 or more constituencies.

“Our MP Fred Kapondi has put his hand on this and promised to support the division; let’s continue aggressively singing this song and follow the necessary procedure in unison,” advised Chemoywo.

The area residents were also challenged to be promoters of peace in their quest to effectively and in one accord see through the agenda of dividing the constituency and eventually get a county.