Minority communities from Elgeyo Marakwet county have called on the government to introduce a tribe code for the various minority tribes to ensure that they benefit from employment and other government initiatives.
Kipkemei Kiptarus from the Sengwer community said such a code should be shared with the various commissions involved in the employment of public servants so that they also get their quota.
Kiptarus said members of the minority communities are often classified under the respective majority tribe depending on where they live which affects their employment chances.
“A good example is the Sengwer community who indicate that their tribe is Marakwet when filling official documents including during application of national identity cards yet they are not,” he said.
The minority also called for the establishment of a virtual constituency saying they are scattered in several constituencies making it difficult to have political representation saying their own representative will be able to articulate their issues.
Speaking during the public participation on the national policy and bill for ethnic minorities and marginalized communities at the county commissioner’s hall, the minorities said the current nomination of persons from minorities does not address their issues as those nominated end up advancing the political party matters.
As the government strives to conserve the environment through the planting of 15 billion trees, the minorities said they should be consulted on what type of tree species should be planted saying some of the trees being introduced end up having adverse effects on the environment.
They urged the government to issue title deeds to community land to minimize conflicts adding that they should be sensitized on mapping and how they can benefit from natural resources given that most of the resources are found in the marginalized areas.
They also called on the government to create a department for them and channel the equalization fund through the department instead of the current situation where it is disbursed to the counties saying this does not benefit them as intended.
They urged the government to consider constructing markets under the affordable housing programme in rural areas where most of them reside as a way of empowering them in addition to expanding digital programmes to the rural areas.
The minority said the policy should also ensure that the judiciary fast tracks the many cases they have filed in court adding that the government should also ensure they follow court orders.
“The Sengwer filed a case in court where they were allowed to continue staying in Embobut forest until the case is concluded but our people have been thrown out of the forest despite the court order,” Kiptarus said.
On education, the minorities and marginalized called on the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to hire language experts from them as the native speakers when developing the language curriculum under the CBC system as a way of preserving their language and culture.
The team leader from the government Richard Miano assured the minorities that this time the government will address their issues and incorporate them in policies that will benefit them.
Among the minority and marginalized communities in the county include the Sengwer, Ogiek, Taborek, Nubians and Kiptany.
By Alice Wanjiru
