Why section of Samburu residents want Nachola recognised as a subcounty

 A section of Samburu residents has called on President William Ruto to recognise Nachola as a subcounty.

Ngirerea Akide Professional Association Chairman Ernest Nadome in a statement on Tuesday acknowledged the President's development pledges during his just-concluded tour of the region.

These include the laying of the foundation stone for the Sh190 million Baragoi Market and the promise to establish two subcounties in Nyiro and Wamba.

Nadome said the projects initiated by Ruto are significant and reflect the Kenya Kwanza administration's continued effort to uplift the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and ensure that marginalised regions benefit from national development.

He, however, wants Ruto to consider Nachola as a subcounty too, noting that the Turkana people in Samburu have endured underrepresentation and neglect.

"Despite constituting the overwhelming majority, nearly 90 per cent of the enthusiastic crowd that welcomed the President in Baragoi, our long-standing expectation for the declaration of Nachola as a new subcounty was once again overlooked," Nadome said.

The omission, he said, has left the community feeling marginalised and excluded from the fruits of devolution and national development.

Nadome argued that the community has only one administrative ward, resulting in just one MCA in the Samburu County Assembly.

"This persistent imbalance has led to inequality in resource allocation, limited access to government services and feelings of disenfranchisement among our people," he said.

He opined that the creation of new subcounties in Nyiro and Wamba, while excluding Nachola, risks widening the existing divisions between the Turkana and Samburu communities.

"What our people seek is not favouritism, but fairness, Your Excellency (Ruto), an equitable share of administrative units and government attention that reflects our population size, contribution to local development and historical marginalisation."

Nadome further claimed that Turkana professionals from Samburu county have been systematically sidelined in both national and county appointments, noting that since independence, no Turkana professional from Samburu county has ever been appointed to a senior national government position.

"This is a grave injustice that must be addressed if the ideals of inclusivity and equal opportunity values that your administration strongly advocates are to be realised," he said.

Nadome has further welcomed the move by the President to remove the vetting requirement from the national ID card registration process.

He termed the move as commendable toward ensuring that all Kenyans, particularly those from marginalised communities, can access essential identification services without unnecessary barriers.

He called on the government to ensure mobile registration centres are set up in all areas to ensure access to the vital documents by all Samburu residents.

Nadome said access to national identification is a fundamental right, it enables citizens to enjoy government services, participate in national programs and exercise their constitutional right to vote.

"This initiative, which your government championed, should be strengthened and enhanced to ensure that the Turkana community in Samburu fully benefits from its intended objectives."

He emphasised that the Turkana community of Samburu county appreciates Ruto's recent visit to Samburu county.

They said the President's commitment to the region, as demonstrated through his announcement of a Sh1.5 billion road project including the tarmacking of the Baragoi - Maralal Road and the improvement of the Baragoi - Opiroi - Sere Olipi murram road, is highly commendable.

He said the infrastructural developments by Ruto will undoubtedly enhance connectivity, open up trade routes and spur economic growth in the region.