West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has revealed that his security detail hasn’t been returned, although the High Court ordered the restoration his security personnel. His security officers were withdrawn after a confrontation weeks ago with police officers at a roadblock in West Pokot County who had chained a motorbike rider to his bike. Lonyangapuo went and ordered the guy be freed and did away with the blocks. Speaking on Thursday, Lonyangapuo said as an elected Governor, he is entitled to security, “Our new constitution grants us our rights and the Governor by law, was elected,” he said, “If you don’t want to give me protection, give the office.” He added that security can only be withdrawn if someone is a threat to national security.
He wondered why at the time, why many roadblocks had been placed in the County, “I found that they put 25 roadblocks in my County on one highway, the Kitale-Kapenguria-Lodwar road,” he said. However, he said regardless of the move to withdraw his security, his work can be seen, through the peace efforts he champions, “I don’t bother, whatever they are doing.”
After leaders from West Pokot and Turkana met earlier this week to discuss security and restoring peace in the region, Governor Lonyangapuo affirmed that together with Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok and Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis they’ve agreed a peace meeting will be held on 7th January next year at Kapedo. He said all conflicting communities will be brought together, and all the issues they have against each other will be laid bare, thereafter, the leaders will set up peace measures and see how the situation will turn out afterwards.
