Trans Nzoia Senator Michael Mbito has faulted Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula for his opposition to a petition seeking to move Mt Elgon constituency to Trans Nzoia County. Mbito wondered why Senator Wetangula has pointed out the move has as an ill motive yet members of the Sabaot community, who reside in Mt. Elgon, wish to be administered from Trans Nzoia where they feel they’ll get better representation.
The Trans Nzoia Senator has been at loggerheads with several leaders both from Trans Nzoia and Bungoma Counties who have criticized his support for the petition, terming it tribal and personal.
Last week leaders from Trans Nzoia County led by Kiminini MP Dr. Chris
Wamalwa, Trans Nzoia Minority Leader Emmanuel Waswa together
with Kapomboi MCA Ben Wanjala Mlipuko criticized the
move, saying they won’t accept the relocation of the Sabaot community from Bungoma to Trans Nzoia, and that the motion doesn’t have the backing of leaders from Trans Nzoia.
Senator Wetangula criticized his counterpart over the same, affirming that he’ll oppose the motion. Speaking in Kitale, Mbito faulted Wetangula over what he termed as a lack of information and understanding the plight of the Sabaot community in Bungoma faces. “He has been crisscrossing this County on a mission to demonize the agitation by residents of Mt. Elgon to be part of Trans Nzoia yet he hasn’t bothered to know why they want to move,” he said.
The senator dismissed suggestions that the petition is a political strategy
by the Sabaot Community to have numerical strength which will enable
one of them to scoop the gubernatorial seat. “The agitation is based on marginalization and not the clamour for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat. In any case, the seat is not reserved for one community but it’s open to all who reside in this County,” he said.
He said the Ford Kenya party leader should be on the forefront to foster cohesion among the communities residing in Bungoma County and Trans Nzoia at large instead of playing the tribal card. “His movement revolves around Ford Kenya party issues judging by his decision to wear party regalia even at funerals,” added Mbito, “He should know that the time for playing politics ended and we are now focused on serving Kenyans.”