Leaders from Mt Elgon have sharply differed over the proposal by the Bungoma County Governor aspirants making it clear that their running mates may hail from the area.

This is after a former Member of Parliament John Bomet Serut proposed Mr. Cosmas Mtai for the post owing to his long term experience in the public service as a district commissioner.

But the current legislator Fred Chesebe Kapondi denied claims by his predecessor that the Sabaot community had endorsed Mr. Mtai to be a running mate saying not all leaders have been consulted.

Kapondi instead said leaders are planning for a meeting to deliberate on the possibility of coming up with a name that will draw support from all the communities residing in Mt Elgon.

In an exclusive interview, the Mp said heads of primary and secondary schools, teacher unions, the business community, politicians and women movements should be involved in the proposed meeting in order to address disparities that may come as a result of self appointments.

On the other hand, the former lawmaker claims that his decision was reached at after a local maendeleo ya wanawake leader Mrs. Jennifer Mbatiany alleged that the Sabaot community had rubber stamped her bid for the post.

“She claims that she had been endorsed by one aspirant for the governor seat. That is unacceptable because she holds no record in the maendeleeo ya wanawake,” asserted Serut.

However, Mbatiany when reached for comment insisted that she was fit to be the first deputy governor of Bungoma County and had the support of women and youth leaders.

Another former area mp Joseph Naibei Kimkung said a running mate for such a senior post would only be selected by leaders from among credible persons who will be expected to deliver to the demands of the whole county with the support of the governor.

Kimkung urged leaders to have a consensus and avoid political rhetoric because the area had lacked behind in development and was now headed for development and needed someone who will catalyze its growth.

On their part, religious leaders through the chairman of the National Council of Churches in Mt Elgon Rev Bartholomew Kapchanga noted that no spiritual leader had been approached by the political wing to seek support for the senior county post.

“Why should some leaders run in front with proposals that may in turn divide the community behind? We must move together and achieve as a community because we now have a duty to develop a common blue print as County of Bungoma.”

Others interested in the hotly contested seat are Mr Geoffrey Cherongis currently the Nairobi County Director of Education, a surveyor Mr Bramuel Murgor, Mr Sirai who is also a district commissioner and the principal of Mulatiwa Secondary School Mr Pkania Maruga.