KANU bigwigs in West Pokot County, senator John Lonyangapuo and Samuel Poghisio among other leaders were forced to leave a church function in Sook, Kapenguria constituency after a charged crowd turned on them for disrespecting other leaders.
The leaders were forced to leave the venue of the anniversary ceremony for Mafuta Pole ya Afrika Church in Tamugh after youths heckled them for abusing President Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy president William Ruto.
Trouble started after Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipichumba Murkomen, who represented Deputy President William Ruto, faulted some parties for not joining the new Jubilee party.
Senator Kipchumba said that residents of the region are not like cattle that are taken to the market for bargaining in order to be sold.
“Let’s go to Jubilee so that we can benefit from the national cake. Jubilee has changed Kenya in 3 years and you cannot divide Marakwets and Pokots by saying Marakwets did not benefit from any government slots. If Pokots get, Marakwets get, because they are one people,” said Murkomen.
After Murkomen left the function, Lonyangapuo took to the podium and angrily criticized the Jubilee government about corruption allegations.
Senator Lonyangapuo declared that next year he aspires to be the governor. “Whether you like it or not, I will be your governor next year. No matter how many times the president comes here, the people are the ones who elect, not the president. Those in government now were against this sect some years back,” said Lonyangapuo.
This comes one day after President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto visited the county and launched projects.
Prof Lonyangapuo pointed out that he together with Water CS Eugene Wamalwa and Poghisio pushed for the registration of the Mafuta Pole church yet other leaders were boasting about it.
Lonyangapuo went on to fault the national government for cheating area residents that they have launched development projects in the area yet it’s the senate that brings the funds to the County.
Angry youths booed him and told him to stop cheating and confusing residents.
However, Jubilee leaders led by area Governor Simon Kachapin condemned the KANU team for disrespecting the country leadership.
“We thank the President and his Deputy for bringing development in the county. The institution of the presidency is the symbol of unity and all leaders should respect the president. We shall not accept such leaders. How can they claim the money from the President and his Deputy is theft money?” asked Kachapin.
Pokot South Member of parliament David Pkossing accused the KANU team for bringing chaos in the church. Pkossing said that area residents will fully support the Jubilee party citing that Pokot is a Jubilee zone.
“You cannot vomit on the plate you are eating from. Why do they go to Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Kericho if they don’t want other leaders to come here. Jubilee has initiated many projects in the area including the Kamatira-Cheptongei tarmac road,” said Pkossing.
Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto called for an investigation to be done on KANU leaders to ascertain where they get their cash.
