Rift MPs disagree over boundaries plan

“If we are to reach a compromised position, Rift Valley would push for a minimum of 58 seats in parliament and 70 on the existing 210 constituencies, said Mr Ruto.

The legislator differed with the position taken by former President Daniel arap Moi for objecting the division of Rift Valley arguing that Kanu regime contributed to the historical injustices that the region had witnessed as compared to other provinces.

“Former President (Moi) is not agreeable to creation of new districts/constituencies because they are the smallest units of devolution benefiting from devolved funds such as Constituency Development Fund which during his tenure was not there and that is why we are of the opinion that a cluster of districts should form a province for the purpose of equitable distribution of resources and representation,” said Mr Ruto.

The retired Head of State opposed the splitting of the expansive Rift Valley province into smaller administrative units for fear that such issue would inflame frictions in the country’s most cosmopolitan region.

In his memorandum presented by one Mr Jonathan Bii of Kanu in Eldoret noted that the boundary review issue was emotive if not carefully handled.

“Dividing Rift Valley into smaller units would bring to the surface ethnic factors which were bound to inflame unnecessary frictions and ethnic harmony was better guaranteed if the province remained as a unit rather than fragmenting it,” he observed.

Area MPs recommended that Rift Valley should be split to pave way for the creation of South Rift, Central Rift, North Rift and Upper North Rift regions which Mr Moi said its boundaries should not be tampered with because it was a home to majority of Kenyan communities.

“The review of boundaries should take into account the basic principles of population, geographical factors, community interests and resource distribution,” said the former President.

He added that the creation of new administrative units “was acceptable so long as constituencies were not being used as the sole reason to create new districts.”

Former member of parliament for Keiyo South Nicholas Biwott in his capacity as Vision Party leader also opposed the proposed division of the province and rooted for hybrid style of one-man-one-vote and one man one-kilometre.

“Consideration must be given to geographical, communications and community cohesion along with other factors when addressing the issue of boundaries,” said the former powerful cabinet Minister during Kanu regime under President Moi.

He said it was impossible for the entire country to be homogeneous geographically, population density arguing that the existing constituencies should be maintained for stability unless the sub-provinces recently created were reconstituted afresh in consultation with local communities.

Mr Biwott termed special communities that have been marginalised in terms of distribution of resources and lack of representation as in need of special consideration such as the Sabaot of Mount Elgon which he proposed should be allowed to join Rift Valley.

According to majority of the Rift Valley MPs including Cabinet ministers led by Mr William Ruto, William ole Ntimama, Henry Kosgey and Professor Helen Sambili, they were in agreement that additional constituencies should be established.