Jubilee and KANU supremacy battle in West Pokot County dominated the Jamhuri day celebrations that took place in Makutano Primary school in Kapenguria town.
Supporters of the two political in the fronts in the County led by, Governor Simon Kachapin and Senator Prof John Lonyangapuo played out in the open.
It started when a section of members of county assembly stood to the podium and started fronting political issues, with each of them supporting his party.
Youths and women from the two political sides jeered the leaders as they stood to speak .
Senator John Lonyangapuo accused a group of women who had worn branded Jubilee dress calling themselves ‘Warembo na Uhuru’ of heckling him.
Lonyangapuo who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat told them to keep quite citing that the attires they had were bought by a man who wasn’t espoused to them.
The women sang songs in praising Jubilee, while youths praised their KANU leaders. The security team was forced to intervene and cool down the situation.
Senator Lonyangapuo urged the youths and women to respect the Jamhuri day celebrations.
“We signed a memorandum with the Jubilee coalition but not the Jubilee party,” said Lonyangapuo.
West Pokot County commissioner Apollo Okello faulted the youths, women and MCAs for turning a National day function into a Political rally.
“In future, we shall lock out leaders who bring political isues into national celebrations,” said Apollo.
When the county commissioner finished reading the speech, the KANU team led by Senator Lonyanguo and Samuel Poghisio walked out when the governor took to the podium to speak.
Governor Simon Kachapin called for sobriety among elected leaders saying that it was wrong for leaders to divide locals along political lines.
Kachapin told off the senator for lacking a development agenda for the community and instead looking for personal gains from the KANU leadership. “We should unite people but not divide them,” he said.
Kachapin faulted the senator for inciting locals using propaganda to get political mileage, accusing him of living with double standards.
“I wonder why the senator fears me. Why do they walk away?” he posed, “It is wrong for a leader to insult women who are our wives and mothers. Every Kenyan has a right to a political affiliation,” said Kachapin.
The celebration was also attended by Kapenguria member of parliament Samuel Moroto and former East Africa legislature Monges Lotodo.
