A past Madaraka Day celebration. Residents of Lamu East say there is nothing to rejoice and celebrate about the day accusing governments of marginalising them. [Photo: ilays.com]
Four communities in Lamu County have asked the government to include them in development matters and also treat them like other Kenyans.
Speaking Thursday during Madaraka Day, the residents, comprising the communities of Boni, Sanye, Orma and Somali in Lamu East claimed they have been marginalised by authorities.An elder from Boni said their land is being grabbed because they don’t have title deeds. “We have nothing to smile about. Kenyans out there have title deeds but for us that’s a dream that may never come true. Surveys have been done all over Lamu, but not our lands. They look the other way and we can’t do anything,” elder Dokota Ali told The Star.“Grabbers are taking all our lands, but how do we protect them?” he posed.Another resident, Dika Mohamed, said there is nothing to celebrate about the day.“Let those who gained anything over the past 54 years celebrate Madaraka Day, but not us. We are Kenyans, but other than our word, there isn’t much to show for it,” Mohamed told the daily.He said their children are unable to access services such as bursaries, immunisation due to lack of meaningful representation in county and national governments, even though they are educated.“Governments treat us like we don’t exist. We can’t get bursaries for our children because we aren’t represented,” said Mohamed.“Our children miss polio and other vaccines. We wonder if our kids are puppets. It’s unfortunate, but no one seems to care,” he added.