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The current MP from Mt. Elgon is Fred Kapondi
Current problems facing the constituency: The current problems afflicting the constituency are quite many. The most notable one is unequal distribution of resources. Bearing in mind that this constituency is inhabited by three ethnic communities; Sabaot, Bukusu and Teso. The Sabaot community forms the majority and hence every political leadership of this region has always favoured one of their own, now that politics in Kenya has always been about ethnicity. This therefore translates into a big share of the constituency's resources to the Sabaot community. Other communities, especially the Bukusu community, with the life long rivalry with the Sabaots, only gets rewarded when they are perceived to toe the political line favoured by the MP. Even when it comes to employment opportunities, these 'minor' communities who are always regarded as outsiders rarely get a chance. To elaborate this point, look at this example, which I personally went through now that I come from the 'minor' Bukusu community: sometime last year, the Ministry of youth affairs was looking for youths holding a degree certificate to be enroled for a certain course. After getting less the number of candidates required for the programme, they lowered the requirement to diploma holders but still claimed priority would be given to degree holders. I got a friend who hails from the Sabaot community but had a diploma and applied with him for the position advertised. Generally speaking, tribalism and tribalism and tribalism in a big factor in allocation of resources in this constituency.
What would you like your MP to focus on?: Some of the things i would wish the MP consider if he hopes to improve the livelihood of members of his constituency, is to go for meritocracy in awarding job opportunities as compared to tribalism and favouritism which currently rules. He should also put in mind that all the communities found in his constituency are there legally and therefore should be subjected to equal treatment despite their ethnicity.
In terms of support, I would say require more soul searching in order to give him the required support. This is because, though in the past he has shown he is development conscious and ready to steer the constituency a notch higher, his attitude towards other ethnic communities he considers 'outsiders' puts me on a collision with him. Recently, when oppening the 'RED CARD CENTRE' here in Nairobi, the MP was quoted saying that his community will not allow itself to suffer when other people had occupied their land. The name Bungoma and Trans Nzoia as belonging to Sabaot community and that if the draft constitution is passed, then it will allow them reclaim their land. I dont know whether this MP was just making fun or meant what he was saying! The shows how lowly he regards membersof other minority groups residing in Mt.Elgon constituency.
If you could have a meeting with him what would you tell him? If I were to meet him, the message I would give him is that he should be human enough to consider others human as well. Whether we all voted for him or not, the fact that he triumphed in the last general elections makes him the MP of all members of his constituency. He should emulate Barack Obama when he gave the message to the Republicans during his victory speech that he would be their president as well.
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