Taita Taveta’s Pare community appeals for formal recognition as a tribe in Kenya

Members of the Pare community, who mainly live in Taita Taveta County, have formally petitioned the government for recognition as a distinct Kenyan tribe, seeking full legal status and citizenship.

The petition, submitted to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki by Taveta MP John Bwire on behalf of the community on Tuesday, highlights their long-standing presence and contributions to the region's social and cultural landscape.

In their petition titled “Public Petition for the Recognition of the Pare Tribe as a Tribe in Kenya”, the community stresses that they have been an integral part of Taveta Constituency for generations, residing primarily in villages such as Jipe, Mata, Marodo, Ngutini, Kitoghoto, Eldoro, Kitobo, and Madarasani.

The petition seeks formal acknowledgement, drawing comparisons to the recognition recently granted to other minority communities like the Shona, Pemba, and Makonde.

"Kenyans of Pare community have been an integral part of the communities living in Taveta Constituency since time immemorial and constitute the larger population in Jipe, Mata, Marodo, Ngutini, Kitoghoto, Eldoro, Kitobo and Madarasani villages of Taveta Constituency," reads the petition.

The request for recognition is grounded in the Constitution of Kenya, particularly Articles 11 and 44, which mandate the government to preserve and promote the nation's rich cultural heritage and ensure that all ethnic groups are acknowledged.

The petition argues that the Pare community has contributed greatly to the local and national economies but remains excluded from critical national processes due to their lack of formal recognition.

No official response

Despite previous attempts to address the issue, including a letter sent to the President, the community has yet to receive an official response.

As a result, MP Bwire has urged the government to act swiftly to rectify this oversight, calling for the formal recognition of the Pare as a distinct tribe and their inclusion in Kenya's legal and governance framework.

"The recognition of the Pare community is consistent with our national values of inclusivity, equality, and diversity, which are vital for our nation's unity," Bwire said, stressing the need for the government to issue a gazette notice to formalise the recognition.

In response, Kindiki assured the community that their petition would be reviewed thoroughly.

The government, he said, would consult with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, to ensure that the matter is addressed appropriately.

If successful, the petition would grant the Pare community full legal recognition as Kenyan citizens, allowing them to access rights and opportunities equal to those of other Kenyans.