KANU and Jubilee supporters from West Pokot County today clashed after the two teams held various demonstrations over deputy president William Ruto’s remark last week. KANU supporters took to the streets of Makutano town claiming that the deputy president insulted their Senator John Lonyagapuo.
But in a rejoinder, Jubilee supporters also held a peaceful demonstration in support of the DP saying the Pokot community is behind jubilee party.
Five members of the county assembly and two MCAs from Baringo County joined and more than five hundred Lonyangapuo supporters demonstrated, accusing the deputy of endorsing leaders for them. They gave the DP two days to apologize to the Pokot Community or else they will not vote for Jubilee in the coming elections.
Carrying placards and twigs the demonstrators marched and sung songs, whistling on the streets of Makutano town disrupting business, insisting that Pokot is a KANU zone. They condemned remarks made by the DP that went viral on social media saying the Pokot community has a shortage of fools and they should not accept to mislead by Senator Lonyangapuo.
They accused Ruto of having meddled in the county’s affairs and asked him to keep off from the county’s politics and respect elected leaders.
They lashed at the new Jubilee party citing that the party has no place in West Pokot County and they will not join the Jubilee party.
Mnagei ward representative James Kapelion accused the Deputy President of abusing the former ruling party Kanu. “Kenya is a multi-party country and we should not accept few leaders to return us to the dark days of dictatorship,” he said. He asked the Deputy to leave the electorate to decide for themselves and not force them to join the new Jubilee party.
After KANU demonstrators left the streets, Jubilee followers also took over the streets. One of Jubilee supporter James Achekchek faulted the demonstrations saying KANU supporters are frustrated since Jubilee has infiltrated the county. “KANU supporters have sensed defeat that’s why they are taking their grievances to the streets,” said Achekchek.
The area deputy governor Titus Lotee condemned KANU demonstrations citing that anybody who feels his rights have been infringed should use a due legal process to seek justice. “There are many institutions that one can use to seek justice like National cohesion integration commission, courts or report to police for action to be taken,” he said.
Lotee said KANU supporters misunderstood the DP’s remarks and he has nothing to apologise to the community. He said the behaviour of disrupting people’s businesses is a sign that our county is being taken back to the old days.