Kibwezi: There is a call for the National Government to allocate funds specifically to support minority and marginalized communities across the country. The demand was voiced by various speakers from the Ngulya Community during a public participation forum on the Draft National Policy and Bill on Ethnic Minorities and Marginalized Communities, 2025.
According to Kenya News Agency, the funds would primarily be used to educate children from these communities who currently lack access to bursaries due to the absence of representation in both national and county assemblies. Esther Musinya, speaking at the forum held at AMREF Hall in Kibwezi subcounty, emphasized the struggle faced by their children in accessing education and urged the government to address this issue.
Musinya also highlighted the need for the government to allow access to traditional shrines, such as Ngulya Hills in Tsavo West National Park, citing Article 32 of the 2010 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, and opinion. Musinya, a custodian of shrines, stressed the importance of being able to worship freely at these sacred sites.
The Ngulya Community expressed appreciation for the government's initiative in developing a policy for minorities and marginalized groups, noting that it would help them realize basic rights. They shared experiences of discrimination dating back to the 1960s and advocated for land restitution, as they currently live as squatters on what they claim is their ancestral land.
In addition to land rights, the community raised concerns about a lack of access to employment opportunities at both county and national levels, urging the government to address this issue promptly. Nthitu Makwata, Chairperson of the Ngulya Community, called for the policy to include provisions for representation in county and national assemblies, suggesting that a member of the Ngulya community be appointed or nominated to these bodies.
Makwata also mentioned an ongoing effort to document the Ngulya population, which is dispersed across the region, to better understand their numbers and needs.
At the forum, Mr. Abdi Kahiya, Director of Governance Under Minority and Marginalized Affairs Unit in the Office of the President, stated that the government has initiated policies to provide favorable socio-economic conditions in health, education, and employment for minority and marginalized groups. Kahiya highlighted Article 56 of the 2010 Constitution, which mandates affirmative action programs to ensure the participation and representation of these communities in governance and other areas.