West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has slammed government officers from the County for politicizing relief food distribution to cushion residents from hunger brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Governor in particular the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Devolution Micah Powon who hails from the County for interfering with relief food donation. The County boss accused Powon of threatening junior government officers working in the County.
“The PS has been calling the County commissioner, Deputy County commissioners from where food is being distributed, the National and Drought Management Authority (NDMA) officer in the County and he even has the guts to call the NDMA CEO saying that the food belongs to him and it should not be given out by the Governor,” he said.
Speaking at Masol area while distributing relief food to residents, Lonyangapuo said that the County Government and the NDMA officers in the County sat down and wrote a proposal for the food to come in to help the vulnerable.
Lonyangapuo said that Powon intends to vie for political seat in the County in the year 2022 and he wants to use the food aid to gain political mileage. Lonyangapuo said that the PS was also threatening civil servants and the Italian officials, who availed the donation.
“You should not be threatened. Your aid is important. Expand your projects and never mind,” he said “People should not fight donors.”
The sentiments were echoed by Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong who said relief food should be distributed immediately it arrives to help the target groups and those affected.
He said that leaders should unite and look for more food instead of engaging in politicking.
However, Principal Secretary Micah Powon said that procedurally the food is not supposed to be distributed by politicians.
“The food should be distributed by Chiefs, sub County administrators and NDMA. It is wrong for people to wait for politicians from 8 am to 2 pm to be given food while politics is in play,” said Powon.
Powon said that the Ministry of Health directive on social distancing is not being observed during the distribution of the food. He said that he did not threaten anyone because the Italian government aid partnership is under his Ministry.