Sabaot council of elders are divided over endorsement of Kiminini Mp Dr Chris Wamalwa for gubernatorial post that was held on Friday at the home of former Mp for Mt. Elgon Wilberforce Kisiero with some blaming Kisiero for taking up the mantle of endorsing the Mp claiming he had the blessings of the Saboat community.
The function that was attended by a section of elders drawn from Saboat community ratified their support for Dr. Wamalwa in a function also attended by Saboti MCA David Kapoloman who was pushing to be Wamalwa’s running mate in the coming general elections.
“As representatives of the Sabaot community, we will support Chris Wamalwa. This is because he has a good track record as an MP,” said Kisiero.
The elders asked Wamalwa to consider Saboti MCA and former Trans Nzoia Deputy speaker David Kapoloman as his running mate.
Kisiero told Wamalwa to form an inclusive government to accommodate all the communities in Trans Nzoia County.
Wamalwa thanked the elders for believing in him.
However, the council chair for Saboat community Reuben Butaki rubbished the endorsement claiming it as it has got no blessings of the whole community of Saboat community alleging such endorsement was personal.
He stated that as the community they have laid out procedures under which they normally follow to the later and endorsements of the community over a certain individual must involve all the community spokesmen that will have the blessings of the whole community noting that such endorsement of Dr Chris Wamalwa was null and void and was not recognized by the community.
On his part the Kiminini legislator thanked his endorsements claiming he was ready for the task of succeeding Governor Khaemba and made sure his development projects he initiated reached fruition.
“I thank the Sabaot council of elders for today’s endorsement, I am happy, and I urge other communities in Trans Nzoia to consider my candidature since I am the best aspirant for the governor’s seat “said Wamalwa.
Wamalwa believes he will be the next Governor since he started popularizing himself three years ago.
“Some of my competitors have been saying they will come, but they ought to know that I have a head start. When they show up, they will find that I am halfway on the journey,” he added.
Late last year, a group of elders from the Marakwet community in Cherangany also endorsed Wamalwa to be the county chief.
Wamalwa has been the MP for Kiminini since 2013.
He comes from Kananachi area of Kiminini.
Wamalwa will be battling with DP William Ruto’s aides Kakai Bisau and Abraham Singo’ei, Businessman Moses Khaoya,Philemon Samoei, Woman Rep Janet Nangabo among others.
It is not clear whether Devolution cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa will also be vying.