Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has urged leaders to stop washing their dirty linen in public and instead rally together to unite all Kenyans. Speaking during a funds drive in aid of the completion of St Stephen’s Kodedema Catholic Church in Teso South Sub County, the Governor said it pains him to see leaders of national status engage in character assassination. “We need to lead by example and to cultivate the culture of respect and forgiveness. We want to leave a united country with people talking of substance devoid of witch hunts,” he said.
Leaders from Rift Valley and Western including, former Agriculture minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa and former Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale urged Governor Ojaamong to rescind his presidential ambitions and instead support DP Ruto.
Khalwale and Teso South MP Geoffrey Omuse told President Uhuru Kenyatta to honour the constitution and retire honorably instead of seeking for any position by having an amendment to the constitution. Deputy President William Ruto’s PA Farouk Kibet said considering that Teso is the only minority community in Western region; he extends an olive branch with prospects of giving the community the autonomy of a County. He said Kalenjin and Teso communities share many things in common, adding that Ojaamong’s star will shine after his tenure as Governor if he backs Ruto’s presidency.
Governor Ojaamong said his decision to enter the Presidential race came from the fact that there has been no Presidential candidate from Busia since independence. He added, “County residents also have the urge of seeing their own climb the ladder, and thus, the push for me to ascend to the top seat in the land.”