The Pokot council of elders and County leaders have denounced the recent installation of senator John Lonyangapuo as the King and spokesperson of the Pokot Community by a section of elders from Baringo County.
The elders opposed the crowning of Lonyangapuo citing that they were not consulted and the ceremony was done without their consent.
They said that the process was not competitive and could have been organized by a single candidate in disregard to the much valued democratic process.
Led by the Chairman of Pokot council of elders Mr. John Muok, the elders termed Lonyangapuo as a young person who has not attained the age of being the community’s spokesperson.
“Why did he have to announce himself. That shows that he has no leadership but he has fear. The conception of the idea of identifying and installing a Pokot spokesman was a secret and an arbitrary decision which indicates that it was not done in good faith. He is too young to be appointed as the spokesman of the community,” Muok said.
The secretary of the Group Mr. Harrison Loyatum said that they were dismayed with the installation, as elders have not met and endorsed anyone to be the spokesperson for the community.
“We strongly oppose the scandalous activity that is bound to serve no purpose except to glorify an individual and create disunity in the community. This shows the senator’s diversionary tactics following the recent statement by the council of elders blaming him for messing up the much-needed unity in the community,” he said.
Speaking to the press in Kapenguria, the elders condemned the exercise saying that it was done in Tiaty, in another place which isn’t West Pokot.
“Residents of West Pokot county were not consulted and only got news through social media. Excelling in education is not a prerequisite to being recognized by the community for knowledge without wisdom is futile. Residents are best placed to assess his conduct and suitability,” said Loyatum.
They accused the senator of emulating former cabinet minister Francis Lotodo who was the King of Pokots.
“We believed in Lotodo because he had the blessings and opinion from the elders. Where did Lonyangapuo get the permission?” he said.
The elders said that they have plans to appoint the community’s spokesperson.
The sentiments were also supported by area Governor, Simon Kachapin who termed Lonyangapuo as self centred and a lone ranger who is misusing the community’s name for self-gain.
“No one elected leader was present. The installation is inconsequential. He is a self-seeker. He is politically lost that is why he is ever spreading propaganda to other leaders. Days of kingship are gone. No leader is working with him and he should seek for forgiveness,” he said.
He said that area leaders from the North Rift had a peace caravan last year in the area to preach peace in the hot spots.
“We have used a lot of resources to establish peace and one person cannot come to bring chaos,” said Kachapin.
Kachapin accused the senator of inciting locals against their neighbors .
“His aim to destabilize the peace we have witnessed for one a half years. It is immoral for such leaders to utter words that can bring tension. It is immoral and Pokots should be worried about such leaders,” said Kachapin.
The county chief called on the government to investigate Lonyangapuo over his recent remarks.
Pokot South member of parliament David Pkossing termed Lonyangapuo as an imposter citing that the installation should be done at Nasukuta the county’s shrine.
“It was wrong for them to slaughter a cow outside the county ,”he said.
Kalenjin council of elders James Lukwo called for unity among leaders of the North Rift region.
“We recently met at Chesogon said no to incidents of cattle rustling ,”he said.
Lukwo called for peace among the neighbouring counties of West Pokot ,Turkana ,Elgeyo Marakwet ,Baringo,Samburu and Trans-nzoia .
He said that area leaders should embrace dialogue and work together for development to be realized in the region.
