Embu MCAs warned against ethnic profiling

Embu Speaker Kariuki Mate on Friday warned Members of the County Assembly against using ethnic inclinations to influence voting in the Assembly.

The Speaker noted that the MCAs are equal despite representing the Embu, Mbeere, Kamba, Kikuyu and Tharaka communities who live in Embu County.

Speaking at the County Assembly, Kariuki warned the MCAs that such a move to create ethnic blocs will cause unrest amongst themselves.

“All MCAs are equal despite the diverse communities in the county, none is subordinate to the other when it comes  to representation at the County Assembly,” noted Mate.

This comes after Mbeti South MCA, MuriaNyaki, had risen on a point of order to question why some Ward Representatives from what he termed as ‘minority’ communities had been accorded more privileges than their counterparts from the larger Embu and Mbeere communities.

There was a loud disquiet when members of the communities considered as minorities at the Assembly voiced their disapproval of the ethic grouping.

Several MCAs rose on points of order to seek the Speaker’s indulgence in the matter, but none was allowed to speak for avoidance of a clash.

Nyaki was, however, ruled out of order and directed to drop his classification of MCAs as from majority and minority tribes. Mate cautioned other MCAs to steer clear of ethnically inclined debates terming them reckless, undignified and unprocedural.

Written by Treeza Awuor