First Kapenguria MP after independence on the current constitution

Kapenguria,

Friday, December 15, 2023

KNA by Richard Muhambe

The first Kapenguria Member of Parliament (MP) after Independence Mzee Jacob (JP) Lorema has suggested that any future constitutional amendments should label Kenyan tribes separately without the current ethnic grouping.

Lorema faulted the current system of ethnic grouping claiming that it has marginalized small tribes when making public appointments both at the national and county levels.

“We should not be classifying people as Kalenjins or Luhyas because we minority groups forming what we tribes. This is unfair because tribes such as Sengwer sometimes miss public appointments because they are a minority,” argued the first legislator saying Kenya has more than 42 tribes.

Lorema further said the country should consider creating extra counties mentioning that the Pokot region, Mt. Elgon, and Kuria need to be given a county.

He said the creation of the above counties will allow minority groups to have access to job openings since currently, they are under-represented.

On matters of unemployment, the legislator who served the region from 1963, he urged youth to engage in meaningful activities to earn decent incomes rather than staying idle waiting for public appointments.

“You can make money from doing small businesses, join church leadership, or becoming a politician,” urged Mzee Lorema.

He called on the government to consider paying retired politicians such as former councilors arguing that majority are suffering.

Meanwhile, Mzee Lorema has appealed to neighboring communities to co-exist calling on the neighboring counties to intensify peace campaigns like those that have been initiated in West Pokot County.

“Peace is very important in promoting development and it becomes discouraging when we still have cases of banditry in an Independent country,” he observed.

The eloquent Mzee Lorema whose brand name is JP15 Lorema has remained a strong opinion leader despite his advancing age and never misses in major events within the region.

Courtesy; KNA