Pressure is already pilling on the Wafula Chebukati led Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on whether to increase or reduce the number of administrative units, particularly constituencies.

The current 290 constituencies, which some critics have argued that is too much, faces a tough decision ahead by the IEBC in the latest role to map out new boundaries, set to kick off this month to 2021.

The 290 constituencies, having increased from 210 in 2012 exercise, teeters possible clashes the IEBC chairman quipped to the Nation earlier that he is aware. Mr Chebukati told the daily that the process to review boundaries, while it remains emotive, would be carried out in accordance with the law.

“Everything must be done to ensure the review does not polarise communities.

We will engage the public at constituency and ward levels to create awareness and better understanding on boundary delimitation,” IEBC chairman Mr Wafula Chebukati said earlier this week.

Kenya has 290 constituencies, up from 210 in the review completed in 2012, and 1,450 wards created during the same period.

Earlier, Kenya had only 188 constituencies, but the need for more representation spiked the number to 290 and calls to increase the number have been intensified by lawmakers in the recent past.

The Commission, however, divulged that the Constitution demands that boundaries of every constituency or ward be informed by population quota, a figure obtained by dividing the number of Kenyans by constituencies or wards.

Secession

The new role the IEBC will be embarking on comes amid fears of secession talks from a section of Opposition leaders - majorly Coastal leader - who cite economic, political and social discrimination.

Already Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma took action and petitioned the IEBC to hasten the boundary altering process, to create The People’s Republic of Kenya and the Central Republic of Kenya.

In addition, Tharaka-Nithi County scholars have raised concerns of changing the name of the county to Meru South County, a move the area Governor Muthomi Njuki vehemently opposed, adding that the role only lies with the referendum, which would then be organised by the IEBC.

“We are comfortable with the name Tharaka-Nithi County as it defines our identity,” Governor Muthomi Njuki said in a statement on Monday.