Why the Nandi should use elections 2027 to negotiate better with Luhya

Nandi Constituencies Map: Research Gate, uploaded Dec. 2024.

The remarks made by Trufosa Kutto, an MCA aspirant of Kemelei ward on Saturday at a funeral event are unfortunate in many ways. Of it all, it was from an entitled and intolerant position that oversteps freedom of speech and builds on my earlier posts that Nandi County is hostile to the second of its majority members – the Luhya people. 

Avoiding the context of remarks for purposes of a brief posting, Trufosa Kutto's words are regrettable in the areas of integration, respecting identity, political freedom, gender mainstreaming and respect for the dead too!

To say or not, Nandi County is passively compiling a historical injustice list from the way opportunities are distributed, resources are shared, equality is shown and cultural identity is included. Trufosa’s remarks does not only tell the Luhya of their place, but it told the Nation and the world what the stereotypical Nandi could be having in store and the raw approach to leadership in Kenya. 

It was in the first devolved government 2013-18 that Nandi County was top on tribalism as far as employment happened. It is not clear if there is an improvement since as things in Nandi have tended to remain the same a long time now. If you are not a Nandi in Nandi, try elsewhere, not in Nandi.

Hence need to negotiate as the August elections of 2027 near. If Madam Trufosa’s plea to protect Ruto’s presidency (it was so important in her pronouncement than her plea to be elected an MCA) is justified, then she should be aware that if Ruto is so close to her (and Nandi community), he is not as close to Luhya in Nandi (as should be). Which, for win-win, there should be Luhya gains in Nandi including her stepping down to have a Luhya take the MCA seat and not herself. Before that…

When the elective seats can be all competitive and the winner takes it all, what of other local opportunities that have also been denied the Luhya? One is the boundaries which are discriminately drawn. Why would Aldai, Emgwen and Chesumei constituencies run parallel further North-East and split the Luhya voting block such unfairly? It is one of the necessary negotiable items at the table. 

Tafrosa's remarks as captured on 2nd November 2026

With Nandi Members of Parliament due to the poor boundaries above, they also influence administrative jobs like Chiefs, Assistant Chief and Ward Admins. It is on grapevine that this year the sub-locations of Kapchorwa and Kiptuiya employed Nandi siblings as assistant-chiefs. 

Kiptuiya and Kapchorwa are largely Luhya areas in Nandi County. Who will then spy for the Luhya kins of Nandi underdeals as the demolitions of houses and forceful evictions as that which happened near Kapsasur few years ago? Luhya numbers in Nandi do not equal their representation. A huge wrong.

Hence need for negotiations Madam Truffosa Kutto. No one is of Hamisi that is in Nandi. Hamisi has its own population, the minority Terik of Vihiga as an example. Benchmarking should be done in comparison of how Vihiga County has accommodated Terik in comparison to the Luhya among the Nandi. 

Ruto has had his five years and nears completion, notwithstanding how he won. His re-election should be on the interests of all – not Nandi community alone. That quite awakes the spirit of why we vote whom we vote for. For tribe? Identity? Or the progress of all. For what matters to the Nandi should matter to others too, Trufosa including.