KANU leaders from West Pokot County have called on the government to beef up security during the general elections in volatile areas along the borders of neighbouring communities in the North Rift region. The leaders cited that area residents needed to be protected for them to participate in the elections peacefully.
Led by West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo who is vying for the County gubernatorial seat and Samuel Poghisio who is vying for the County senatorial seat, the leaders called on area residents to maintain peace during this electioneering period to avert violence and attacks.
Speaking at Turkwel Gorge along the West Pokot and Turkana border during their campaigns, the leaders called on peace committees from the West Pokot and Turkana Counties to join hands together to ensure peace prevails in the region.
“For the last three years this area has witnessed relative peace and we want peace committees to continue preaching peace together,” said Lonyangapuo.
Prof. Lonyangapuo who urged residents to shun leaders who incite them cited that he has been on the frontline championing for peace in the region.
The leaders endorsed Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok to be reelected for the governor’s seat praising him for his efforts to unite the two communities.
Lonyangapuo said that they will support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reaction bid for helping in restoring peace in the region. “The President brought here motorbikes to be used by reformed warriors, I urged you to vote for him although he is in Jubilee and we are in Kanu,” he added.
Mr. Poghisio urged the government to protect residents in the region in case of an attack during elections. “Our people have been staying in peace with their neighbours. We need to stay as brothers and sisters. Kenya will have many observers from abroad and there is no space for cheating,” said Poghisio.
Lonyangapuo’s running mate, Dr. Nicholas Atudonyang called on area residents to elect sound minded and development conscious leaders for peace to be realized in the region.
“We need the youth be employed for them to shun vices like cattle rustling,” he said. Atudonyang called on area residents to embrace education terming it the only game changer for the pastoral communities.