West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has hit out at the KANU leadership following the expulsion of four nominated West Pokot MCAs from the party over misconduct and failure to adhere to party guidelines and code of ethics. The 4 MCAs-Grace Rengei, Jackline Ripoo, Nancy Chombir and Josephine Chepurum- received expulsion letters from KANU secretary general Nick Salat last week.
Speaking in West Pokot, Governor Lonyangapuo said KANU leaders in the County campaigned for the party and even sold property to ensure its growth, “On that issue, they’ve touched the wrong nerve.” He faulted the party secretary general Nick Salat, questioning how someone from another County can meddle in West Pilot’s KANU affair, “KANU has no strong presence in Bomet where Salat comes from. West Pokot is filled with KANU adherents all across to Tiaty. Then when you lack a job to do, you decide to come and sack my people,” he lamented, “We should look for a jembe and machete for him so that he ventures into farming.”
In a letter seen by the press, the secretary general cited refusal to remit monthly membership subscription fee, failure to adhere to the loyalty pledge and the party code of conduct and failure to defend and promote the party positions while serving at the West Pokot County assembly among the reasons that led to their expulsion.
However, Lonyangapuo has dispelled the idea of paying a monthly fee, saying other leaders haven’t been paying the fee. “Between 2013 and 2017 I was the Senator of West Pokot County, Kachapin was the Governor and we were in KANU, Gideon was the Senator in Baringo, also in KANU, MPs like Moroto all in KANU, yet we didn’t contribute even a cent for the main office…we used our money for campaigns so that the party doesn’t die.” He added that the growth and establishment of KANU in the County has been under threat for sometime now.