By Levin Kiprop
Tensions are rising in Uasin Gishu County as Turbo Member of Parliament Janet Sitienei faces mounting pressure and a looming impeachment threat over alleged ethnic discrimination in the allocation of bursary funds.
Speaking in Eldoret, Huruma Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) and Minority Chief Whip in the Uasin Gishu County Assembly, Kimani Wanjohi, accused the MP of favoring one ethnic community in the distribution of bursaries at the expense of others, particularly minority groups living in urban wards.
“Out of the KSh 59 million issued as bursary in the entire Turbo constituency, Huruma Ward received only KSh 3 million. Kiplombe Ward, which also hosts a large number of minority residents, was allocated the same. This means only KSh 9 million went to wards represented by minority communities,” Wanjohi stated.
According to Wanjohi, this unequal allocation violates the principles of fairness and inclusivity as outlined in the Constitution and supporting legislation. He referenced reports from the Auditor General, which were reviewed and tabled before the county assembly, showing non-compliance with Section 7 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act and Section 65 of the County Governments Act.
“These laws are clear. No more than two-thirds of employment or public resources should be directed toward one ethnic group. Unfortunately, this is not being observed in Uasin Gishu,” he emphasized.
Wanjohi further criticized the county’s leadership for failing to uphold diversity and equity, especially in public appointments. He cited the recent nomination of two county executive committee members from the same ethnic group by Governor Jonathan Bii as evidence of continued exclusion of minority groups.
“What is it about Uasin Gishu that prevents us from being like other counties where they have seen the wisdom of following the law to the letter?” Wanjohi posed.
The Minority Chief Whip urged county leaders to emulate the national government’s broader commitment to inclusive governance and equitable representation.
According to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Uasin Gishu is among 34 counties that have breached the County Governments Act (2012) by employing more than 70% of their workforce from the dominant ethnic group, raising serious concerns about ethnic balance and social cohesion.
As calls for accountability intensify, political observers say the situation could escalate into a full-blown political crisis unless urgent reforms are implemented to ensure fairness in resource distribution and public appointments across all ethnic groups in the county.
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