Senator vows to oppose bill seeking to increase the number of counties

By Robert Mutasi 

Senator Danson Mungatana of Tana River County has pledged to oppose a bill that proposes to increase the number of Kenyan counties from 47 to 56. 

The bill was introduced to the National Assembly by nine Members of Parliament.

In an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, Mungatana expressed his concern that the addition of new counties could lead to conflicts. 

He suggested that the creation of new counties within existing ones could provoke demands for further subdivisions from regions that feel marginalized.

"There will be more subdivisions of the counties in the country," Senator Mungatana warned.

Furthermore, Mungatana argued that the bill would necessitate the appointment of new governors to represent the newly created counties. 

He noted that these additional leadership positions would strain the national budget, particularly in light of the nation's current high cost of living.

"We will need all new governors, and it is not going to work. So, if this proposition comes to the Senate, we will oppose it," he added.

Mungatana also acknowledged that the existing 47 counties could become counterproductive without the proposed additions.

The draft bill proposes the creation of nine new counties: Kuria County (half of Migori County), Teso County (half of Migori County), Mount Elgon County (half of Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties), East Pokot County, Mwingi County, Gucha County (Kisii County), Suba County, Ijara County in Garissa, and Nakuru West County.

Previously, Marwa Maisori, the Member of Parliament for Kuria East, sought to amend Article 98 of the Constitution to include five additional counties.