It’s reprieve for four female KANU nominated West Pokot MCAs, after they were reinstated by the party, months after being expelled. The nominated MCAs, Grace Reng’ei, Jackline Ripoo, Nancy Chombir and Josephine Chepurum, were reinstated after the Political Parties Disputes tribunal court said the expulsion didn’t follow due process.
The four were accused of misconduct, failure to adhere to party guidelines and code of ethics and not paying monthly subscription.
The leaders accused the Senate majority leader who is also the West Pokot County Senator Samuel Poghisio and County assembly speaker Catherine Mukenyang of being the masterminds behind their expulsion.
Speaking outside the County assembly building in Kapenguria, Weiwei MCA David Kapelisiwa said that it is a win for the KANU fraternity in the County. He said that the four were ousted unprocedurally because of politics. “We shall remain strong as KANU members, and we are KANU life members,” he said.
Nominated MCA Grace Reng’ei, who was among those axed, condemned the leaders who incited the four to be expelled arguing the expulsion was politically instigated.
She maintained that they did not make mistakes and the KANU party was targeting them because of their support for area Governor John Lonyangapuo. “We didn’t do any mistake because we’ve been paying the monthly contributions. We laud those who stood with us, those who held protests in th County and members of parliament who supported us,” she said.
Nominated MCA Josephine Cheprum asked the KANU top leadership not to be swayed by rumors and propaganda. “They were targeting us because we are allied to Governor Lonyangapuo. He is the one who brought KANU here,” she said, “He is the face of the party and without him KANU has no presence in West Pokot.”
Another KANU nominated MCA, Jacky Ripoo, accused a section of party members from the County who joined the party recently and have already started engaging in sideshows and messing up the party. West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio and County assembly speaker Catherine Mukenyang dismissed the accusations, pointing out that they are not part of the party leadership in order to oust the four.