Manyatta Member of Parliament John Gitonga Mukunji has proposed changing the name of Embu County to Embu-Mbeere County, arguing that the move would help address what he considers historical marginalisation of the Mbeere community.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, September 26, Mukunji said the proposal was driven by what he described as persistent inequalities in development between different parts of the county.
The MP claimed that the Mbeere region has lagged behind other areas of Embu in terms of infrastructure and access to basic services, which he partly attributed to the county's current name and the visibility given to the different communities within it.
"I have given a proposal to change Embu County to Embu-Mbeere County. When you reach Manyatta, you will know you are in Embu County because there is enough water, electricity and development at large. But when you extend to Mbeere, it is marginalised," Mukunji stated.
According to the legislator, the perceived exclusion of the Mbeere community extends beyond development and is reflected in the county's identity.
"If you are neglected by name, then even in terms of development, you are neglected. That is why I have the proposal to bring equality for the whole county," he added.
Mukunji further argued that the Mbeere area is endowed with significant natural resources but that residents have not benefited adequately from them.
He pointed to water resources in the region, noting that they contribute to supplying other parts of the county, while some residents in Mbeere still lack access to piped water.
The MP also cited the presence of minerals in the area, arguing that the availability of such resources has not translated into comparable levels of development for residents.
He is now calling for the county's name to recognise both Embu and Mbeere, drawing a comparison with counties whose names incorporate the identities of different communities or regions.
"Mbeere people have enough resources but are still neglected. With immediate effect, we will demand Embu-Mbeere County, just like we have Taita-Taveta County," Gitonga noted.
Constitutional Process of Changing a County Name
Any attempt to officially change the name of Embu County would have to follow the constitutional framework governing Kenya's counties.
Article 6(1) of the Constitution states that Kenya's territory is divided into the counties listed in the First Schedule. Embu is identified as County 14 in the Schedule. This means a change to the official name of the county would require an amendment to the Constitution rather than an ordinary county government decision.
One route is through Parliament under Article 256. Under this procedure, a constitutional amendment Bill must go through the prescribed parliamentary stages and receive the support of at least two-thirds of all members of both the National Assembly and the Senate.
A second route is provided under Article 257, which allows citizens to initiate a constitutional amendment through a popular initiative. Such a proposal requires the support of at least one million registered voters.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is responsible for verifying the signatures before the initiative proceeds to county assemblies. If at least one-third of county assemblies approve it, the proposal can then proceed to Parliament in accordance with the constitutional procedure.
Where an amendment concerns matters listed under Article 255(1), the Constitution requires approval through a national referendum.
However, the Constitution does not expressly state that every proposal to change the name of an individual county automatically requires a referendum. Whether a specific amendment would trigger the referendum requirement would therefore depend on the constitutional provisions affected by the proposed change.
