Political leaders in Narok County have pledged to hold various consultative meetings with all the Maa speaking counties to ensure their issues are properly addressed in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) recommendations.
The Narok Governor, Samuel Tunai said the community had unique issues ranging from historical land injustices and marginalization which when well addressed will boost their economy.
“We are not opposed to BBI, we are ready for it because we believe it is for the good of our people and the nation at large,” said Tunai.
The governor spoke on Tuesday in a Narok Hotel in the company of three Members of Parliament and over 30 MCAs. The legislators were Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West), Ken Aramat (Narok East) and Kilgoris’s, Gideon Konchellah.
Tunai reiterated the region was rich in barley, beef and wheat production yet no factories have been built in the area for the farmers to sell their produce.
He added he had mobilized all the leaders regardless of political affiliation in ensuring that they support the report and come up with one memorandum to the BBI technical team.
“We are all united as leaders to give our views in a very respectful manner regardless of our political differences. All the Maa leaders from Narok, Samburu and Kajiado counties will meet in Kajiado next week for a consultative meeting so that we can speak with one voice,” he said.
Tunai added Narok residents will support the Regional form of governments so that the wards can be the center of growth.
On his part, Konchellah said the BBI report is the best chance to amend the 2010 constitution, adding, “We have tried many times to make amendments to this constitution but all in vain but this is the best time to address some of these issues which have been affecting us,” said Konchellah.
He dismissed perception that the report is about 2022 politics maintaining the same was meant to unite Kenyans and forge for common goals as a nation.
Konchellah added that the BBI recommendations will see all communities, included in the leadership of the country saying any Kenyan regardless of his background will be able to ascend to power.
Aramat said that they want the BBI report to address the historical injustices, which have been a thorn in the flesh among Maasai people.
BBI regional forum is expected to be held in Narok on 17th February. So far the forum has been held in Kisii, Kakamega and Mombasa counties.
By Ann Salaton
