West Pokot Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo has shown an indication of ditching the Kenya National African Union Party[Kanu] after he on Saturday affirmed that he has formed a new political party that he will use in the 2022 general elections to defend his seat.
The move is likely to affect the dominance of Kanu, Jubilee and United Democratic Alliance Party [UDA] parties in the region hence affecting the normal leader’s unity as they may not vie using one political party as they formerly used to do.
Prof Lonyangapuo who is the only Kanu Governor in the Country has been having a sour relationship with Kanu’s top party leadership from 2019 for interfering with party’s affairs in the County.
West Pokot County has been predominantly a Kanu zone but now it is a big blow to it as it seems to be losing its grip on the county.
In the last election, Kanu won the Governors, Senator and majority members of the county assembly in the County.
Speaking in Makutano Township, Governor Lonyangapuo who has been a formidable force and strong loyal member of the independence party said that he is ready to jump ship as the Kanu top party leadership was out to frustrate and sabotage the executive and through the County assembly.
The Governor, who did not disclose the name of the new party, dismissed allegations of having a Pochon Party [Pokot Party] but hinted that the new party has a national outlook.
“My party is not Pochon as many purport. It has members and officials from across the country and it starts with Kenya” Something”. I was in Kanu and some people urinated on us,”he said.
The County boss castigated a section of leaders from the County who are still in the Kanu party citing that he was a leader of the party and he helped them to win seats in the last, 2017 general elections.
He singled out West PoKot Senator Mr Samuel Poghisyo, West Pokot County assembly speaker Ms Catherine Mukenyang and West Pokot Deputy Governor Dr. Nicholas Atundonyang who are fighting him and having a plot to finish him politically.
The County Governor faulted his absentee Deputy Governor Dr. Nicholas Atundonyang for absconding his duties now for four years.
“He stays in the United States with his wife .He comes and gets lost. I was even arrested by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission [EACC] for protecting him and I was arrested for three hours and after that he insulted me,”he said.
Dr. Atudonyang who works in Texas United states as a neurosurgeon fell out with Governor Lonyangapuo after being absent from the County for two years now since he went back to America in the beginning of the year 2018 .
He cited that his Deputy has been alleging that there is corruption in the county yet he is not on the ground.
Prof Lonyangapuo cited that the County has more than 400,000 votes and any Presidential candidate in need of them should come through him and make an agreement.
“People have been accusing me of leaving bigger parties to start smaller one.
Those who want to be President should come to kneel because there are no free things,”he said.
He said that the new party will sweep all seats in West Pokot County.
However, senate majority leader Mr Samuel Poghisyo said that West Pokot was still Kanu zone and assured Mr Gideon Moi of 100 percent support for his presidency and when the right time comes they will marshal votes for him to clinch the presidency.