Nandi Residents Sensitized on Boundary Delimitation Process

Nandi Hills Sunday July 2, 2023.

KNA by Ruth Mainye

Nandi County residents through radio call-in sessions from the six sub-Counties have been sensitized on the process of boundary delimitation and review in a bid to get them updated as well as promote peace and cohesion in the community.

The engagement was organized by a youth group in Nandi dubbed Underit Youth group through the Electoral Conflict Education Support (ECES) program which is supported by USAID through Uraia Trust and Act! and aims at equipping residents with the necessary knowledge on the review of boundaries to enable them participate and engage the government on developmental issues.

Speaking at the forum, Underit Youth Group (UYG) project officer Francis Ng'eny said the idea of the group engaging radio callers is to encourage them because as they call to contribute in the discussion of the day they also add to the issues of good governance, the importance of public participation and how they can engage government on improved delivery.

Ng'eny noted that radio callers act as opinion leaders in a community who participate in most local FM discussions therefore, they are capable of reaching a greater population of their community as well as building the capacity of local media on the upcoming boundary delimitation thus enhancing peace and cohesion in the community.

"As opinion leaders, we want to encourage you to include good governance and the importance of public participation while contributing to discussions of the day on the radio," said Ng'eny.

The project officer explained in detail Article 89 of the Constitution which speaks about the delimitation of electoral boundaries adding that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is mandated to review constituency boundaries, the number and the names.

"There is confusion between County boundaries and constituency boundaries. IEBC has no role in County boundaries delimitation," said the project officer adding that the public need to understand this to avoid confusion pertaining to boundaries review.

According to Ng'eny, there are factors that are considered during boundary delimitation which include: geographical features and urban centres; community of interest, historical, economic and cultural ties; means of communication; and number of inhabitants of a constituency or ward.

Joseph Chesop, one of the radio callers on his part lauded the group's initiative noting that they had gained more knowledge on the boundaries delimitation process.

Chesop said that with such sensitization they will be able to participate in the process of boundary review thus enhancing service delivery and good governance adding that they will extend the knowledge to their communities.

"I wish to thank UYG on behalf of the residents and radio callers for sensitizing us on this process of boundary delimitation process. We have learnt a lot that we didn't know before. With this knowledge we are able to participate in the upcoming boundary review effectively," pointed the caller.

IEBC reviews the names and boundaries of constituencies at intervals of not less than eight years and not more than twelve years but any review shall be completed at least 12 months before a general election of members of Parliament.

Courtesy ; K. N. A