Minority groups living in the North Rift region have expressed their displeasure over the Building Bridges Initiative[BBI] citing that the document has nothing for them.
The groups have vowed to shoot down the document in case it will go to the referendum.
The ethnic groups of Sengwer, Awei, Yaaku,Ogiek, Ilchamus, Endosis ,Bongomek,Ogiek ,Endooris ,Asanya,Awer, and Elmolo groups complained about neglect, saying the government has failed to recognize them in public jobs hence the community lagging behind in development.
Led by the Kalenjin minority sub tribe of Sengwer that lives in West Pokot County, the groups faulted the Government over not recognizing them among the 47 Kenyan tribes.
Speaking to the press on Sunday in Kapenguria, the Sengwer Minority Group Spokesman Dickson Ruto blamed the BBI proponents of BBI for forcing the document to the throats of Kenyans adding that it seems it has a hidden agenda.
He said that their issues were not captured in the BBI hence the 2010 constitution had issues and after passing ,the minority issues were not also addressed.
He pointed out that Article 56 and 100 of the current constitution is about the welfare of the minority.
“Since 1963 after independence ,Sengwer has been identified among the 47 tribes we were not all counted during 2009 census. Those counted were only 45,000 and not identified as Kenyans.We are in 10 Counties of Nandi, Baringo ,Bomet ,Kericho ,West Pokot.Elgeyo Marakwet,Uasin Gishu and some in Western after they entered Kenya in 1895 and are paying taxes.
Rotich noted that the Sengwer have been sidelined in development, employment, appointments and nomination in leadership roles and positions.
“We need land rights protection and clear anti-discrimination provisions allowing full participation in public, economic and social affairs have all been to be included in the constitutional amendments,” said.
He said that they are often unable to gain access to resources and opportunities, cannot own land and are the frequent victims of development policies.
“Many force appointments do not adhere to the thirty percent requirement slots as per the constitution,”said Rotich.
He said the communities are disadvantaged as most of their concerns have not been addressed.
Rotich who is from the Sengwer group with a population of more than 50,000 people said that the referendum should focus on creating Counties for minority groups.
“We need our sub Counties and constituencies .We don’t want to persevere being Kenyans but we must be proud as Kenyans. Our children have gone to school but are unemployed because there is no one to help them,’ he said.
Rotich said that for a long time,the Sengwer community has been marginalized .
“We want equality, equity, regional balance and fairness.We have been discriminated against since independence,”said Rotich .
He said that the community was going to seek legal redress and get clarification on the rights of promotion and representation of minority and marginalized groups.
“We are not satisfied with the number of employment slots given to our communities,” he said.
Mr. Rotich said that the attempts by the group to voice their concern have been unsuccessful because of the section of political brokers who want to stifle their demands.
“Minority communities since 1895 up to 2019 are still suffering yet they have a right to be Kenyans .We are Kenyans and we were born here. Minority groups are suffering .Who is the President of the minority?’ he asked.
He called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to use the handshake to uplift and incorporate all communities in the government.
“Our children have gone to school but are unemployed because there is no one to help them,’ he said.
Mr. Rotich said that the referendum should focus on creating counties for minority groups.
“We need our sub counties and constituencies. We don’t want to persevere being Kenyans but we must be proud as Kenyans,”he said.
He said that they should consider giving nomination and appointment positions to minority groups.
“Constituencies are sidelining the Sengwer. Others communities have more than 30 Mps yet they still get nomination slots,”he said.
“The small communities should get leadership of the Country and create employment for them .Our children have gone to school but are unemployed because there is no one to help them ,”he said.
Rotich said that the referendum should focus on creating Counties for minority groups.
A youth leader Mr. Obadia Koech said the community is disadvantaged as most of their concerns have not been addressed.
“What we want is our rights to be respected so that our youths can get employment,” he said.
Koech said the community had been denied jobs by the county and national governments.
