• Minority communities argue that, given the improved relations between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, addressing the NADCO report should now take precedence.
• In an exclusive interview with Sport.bangjo.co.id.co.ke, Sabaot athlete Laurence Kimutai stated that the report serves as the sole beacon of hope for marginalized communities.
• Among other suggestions, the report proposes passing the County Boundaries Bill, leading to the creation of a County Boundaries Commission.

A segment of Kenya’s smaller ethnic groups has called upon President William Ruto and ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga to promptly enforce the recommendations outlined in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.

Guided by Sabaot specialist Laurence Kimutai, the marginalized communities highlighted that the report shed light on longstanding resentments within disadvantaged populations, notably the Sabaot, who have historically protested against systemic injustices perpetuated by colonial boundaries.

Kimutai stated that this report covers 80 percent of the material we submitted to NADCO. It has become a national priority, and it's crucial for the leaders to demonstrate their political commitment and take action.

During an exclusive interview with Sport.bangjo.co.id.co.ke Kimutai stated that the Sabaot community, along with other marginalized groups, has historically endured hardships because of border delineations set during the colonial era.

He contended that these borders were established without considering cultural and historical connections, and converting them into current county lines has merely intensified their segregating effect.

The insights shared by Sabaot specialists with the NADCO board

In their address to the NADCO panel, the Sabaot experts outlined how the protests against the 1960 colonial boundaries occurred even prior to Kenya’s independence, which they claim resulted in the division of their community. Currently, members of the Sabaot group find themselves dispersed across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.

"Our community has never had a minister or a cabinet secretary since independence. This was not an oversight; it is directly due to administrative maneuvering that has prevented us from accessing crucial leadership roles," asserted the Sabaot professional.

"Devolution was intended to grant communities the authority to manage themselves and make choices impacting their lives. However, for us, it has merely solidified our exclusion," he said additionally.

This problem isn’t exclusive to the Sabaot community; other smaller groups like the Teso, Kuria, Suba, and Wajir have reportedly faced similar marginalization because of issues related to boundaries.

The NADCO report recognizes this issue and suggests immediate steps to tackle these worries.

Fred Omuse, who teaches History and Governance at the University of Eldoret (UoE), stated that this marks the first instance in Kenyan history where a nationwide report has openly acknowledged the systematic marginalization of minority communities.

In what ways can the NADCO report prove advantageous for minority groups?

One of its main suggestions is for the swift enactment of the County Boundaries Bill, leading to the creation of aCounty Boundaries Commission.

Dr. Omuse stated that the commission will be authorized to examine and rectify border discrepancies prior to the 2027 elections. Nonetheless, even though this matter is critical, the legislation proposed by Senator Moses Kajwang' remains held up in the Senate.

"Why is this bill, one of the earliest to be introduced, being overlooked? We've gone so far as to submit a memorandum suggesting revisions to certain sections. So what’s causing the delay?" Omuse questioned.

"This goes beyond politics; it’s about addressing historical wrongs and guaranteeing equality for every Kenyan, irrespective of their ethnic background or where they come from," he emphasized.

The NADCO report has similarly assigned the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) the responsibility to look into allegations of community marginalization, particularly concerning groups like the Sabaot, Teso, Kuria, and Suba.

Although this represents a favorable development, skeptics contend that reports and inquiries carry scant weight unless accompanied by tangible measures.

They caution that failing to take action might exacerbate the exclusion of these groups from political participation.

If this report meets the same fate as many previous ones and gets overlooked, we can expect increasing dissatisfaction," warned the UoE lecturer. "The government has recognized these wrongs, but now comes the true test: whether they choose to take action.

MDD requires the implementation of NADCO.

Previously, Sport.bangjo.co.id.co.ke It has been reported that the youth-driven Movement for the Defense of Democracy (MDD) has similarly urged for the complete enforcement of the NADCO report.

The movement likewise supported Raila's accord with President Ruto.

They stated that the deal demonstrated what Kenyans could accomplish when political figures collaborate effectively.