Kisumu Town West member of Parliament Mr. Olago Aluoch and Turkana Central Deputy County Commissioner Alexander Mativo have assured Turkana residents that they are catered for in every government agenda and should discard perceptions of feeling marginalized.
Speaking in Lodwar during a public participation forum on a Bill to change election date from August to December and the implementation of the one third gender rule, the two leaders said the forum was a clear demonstration that their views will be captured and considered in the national law making process.
Mr. Aluoch who was leading a team of National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs committee said gone are the days when residents of the semi arid parts of Kenya considered themselves as lesser Kenyans than the rest.
“I remember when I was a magistrate in Kitale back in the 80s, suspects would appear before the court and claim that they had traveled from Turkana to Kenya. We want to assure you that with the new constitution, you are full Kenyans and will be treated as such”, said Aluoch.
Mativo said all county residents are part of Kenya and would access services and other amenities without discrimination.
The county receives the second largest budgetary allocation from the National Treasury after Nairobi County.
It also receives the Equalization Fund which is designed to bridge the gap between counties that were marginalized by previous administrations and more endowed counties.
Also present during the meeting were Rabai MP Kamoti Mwamkale and nominated MP Jennifer Shamala.
Residents expressed mixed reactions over proposals to move the election date from August to December.
A large number was however supportive of the decision to have more women in leadership positions to achieve the one third rule.
While some rooted for the nomination of women to meet the rule, others wanted women to compete with their male counterparts for positions.
“We have three female elected governors and three is no reason why other women cannot compete with men,” said one of the participants.
By Peter Gitonga
