Initiative presents the perfect opportunity to address historical land injustices as outlined in the Ndung’u Report, say leaders
By Albert Lemomo
Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku and his Narok counterpart Samuel ole Tunai have urged the Maa nation to unite under the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in order to ensure that long-standing issues affecting the community are addressed.
Lenku, who now doubles as the Maa regional coordinator to popularise the Initiative, noted that it presents the perfect opportunity to address historical land injustices as outlined in the Ndung’u Report.“We are going to ensure that we incorporate all views that our people will raise and include them in our memoranda. The issue of land injustices should be addressed and the matter should have been among the nine agenda of BBI,” said Lenku.
He called for the community to be recognised as indigenous people in order to attract resources required to transform the lives of the people. “We have members of our community who live in other counties like Marsabit,” he explained. “For many years these people have continued to live in the dark…We are going to ensure that we are recognised as indigenous people so that those people can also get services and development as well as representation like other Kenyans.”
Tunai has also welcomed BBI, reiterating that the Narok-Kajiado Economic Block (NAKEB) shall organise public participation forums across all Maa regions to ensure that the country does not slide back to “the predictable patterns of violence during elections.
“The commitment that our president and [Raila] Odinga have shown should be supported by all of us to ensure that peace and tranquilty prevail in this country at all times, whether during elections or not,” said Tunai.
The Narok governor nevertheless distanced himself from the agitation to form regional governments. “It is regrettable that some of our colleagues are backing the Initiative because they want to continue being in power. BBI isabout ensuring the country is stable. It is not an opportunity for leaders to think about positions, but to think for the best opportunities of our people,” he told Kajiado Star.
The push for regional governments is thought to be driven by governors currently serving their second term and who are barred constitutionally from seeking a third term in office.
The meeting held at the Tumaini Resort in Kajiado East brought together at least 70 MCAs and seven MPs from both counties. It was a precursor for a major rally on BBIto beheld on February 21 at Narok Stadium.
