OPINION | Echoes of ‘Forgotten’ Statehouse Delegates
Last Updated on August 5, 2025 by Turkana County News Online
As Turkana County looks forward to the rescheduled State House visit on August 14, 2025, a storm brews quietly beneath the surface — a growing chorus of discontent from those who feel forgotten, sidelined, and silenced in what was meant to be a unifying moment.
The initial plan to have at least 200 delegates visit the President at State House Nairobi was received with optimism and pride. It was to be a moment for Turkana to be seen at the heart of national power, to voice developmental concerns, and to deepen political engagement. But now, the visit — while only postponed — risks being remembered less for its significance and more for the shadows it cast.
A section of residents, describing themselves as staunch UDA supporters, have raised alarm over the delegate selection process. The streets of Turkana may be quiet, but the noise online has been anything but. Social media platforms have been awash with criticism, questions, and outright demands. Chief among them: Who selected these delegates? On what basis? And why were loyal party foot soldiers left behind? It’s a fair question — one that deserves an honest answer.
In politics, visibility is currency. Being seen, especially in spaces of power, translates to legitimacy, influence, and recognition. To be excluded from such a monumental moment — especially for those who have marched, mobilized, and voted with unwavering loyalty — feels not just like oversight, but betrayal.
The silence from the organizing teams only amplifies the frustration. Without transparency, suspicion thrives. Without inclusion, resentment grows.
The irony is unmistakable. A trip meant to showcase unity and government commitment is now a symbol of division and exclusion. This is not just about a list of names. It’s about a longstanding yearning by the Turkana people to be included not only in photo ops but in real, substantive decision-making.
It’s about dignity.
The voices online, the disappointed party loyalists, the overlooked elders and youth leaders — they are not just agitators. They are citizens demanding fairness. And in a democracy, that demand should never be dismissed.
As the new date approaches, those steering the ship must do more than book buses and secure clearances. They must rebuild trust. That begins with transparency. It continues with inclusivity. And it ends with accountability.
As i rest this case, We hope the rescheduled visit will come with not just renewed dates, but a renewed spirit of inclusivity and transparency. Otherwise, the corridors of State House may hear polite speeches — but the real conversation, the real agitation, will remain in the streets and screens of Turkana.
