The Kijana Fupi Round ,Mulmulwas fame Mr Dennis Ruto Kapchok has declared his interest to unseat West Pokot Senator Mr Samuel Poghisio as the senate seat race gets hot for the 2022 general elections.
The controversial politician of the Mulmulwas movement now says he will vie for the senate seat on the United Democratic Alliance [UDA]
Mr Kapchok who was fierce critic of West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo’s administration and later changed tune after the two reconciled gained popularity after Governor Lonyangapuo in 2019 describing him as a”Kijana mfupi round’ huwezi jua tumbo ni wapi mgongo ni wapi meaning a short person with a round figure after a video went viral on social media.
The two buried the hatched in 2020 hence the differences shifted to Mr Poghisio who has also fallen out with Governor Lonyangapuo.
The senate battle has also attracted heavy weights ,former East Africa Member of Parliament Augustine Monges Lotodo[Narc Kenya] former Kapenguria member of Parliament Rev Julius Murgor [UDA],West Pokot Pastoral economy County Executive member of Pastoral economy and agriculture Mr Geoffrey Lipale [KUP].
Mr Kapchok, a self proclaimed acting senator is known for rabble-rousing and political antics often characterized with verb jibes directed at local leaders.
Last year detectives arrested Mr. Kapchok in Kapenguria for allegedly defaming the senate majority leader after putting a post on social media.
Speaking to the press in Kapenguria,Mr Kapchok who said his objective is to push the youth agenda accused the senator for failing in ensuring that the county gets more funds for development and is now engaging in early campaigns that are not helping locals .He said the senator has not been doing his oversight role and has been chronically absent in the County.
“We have not been seeing the senator in the County .We need him to move around .Am the “acting” senator because the” sitting “seating” senator Poghisio, has deserted his duties in the County a long time ago,”said Mr Kapchok.
According to Mr Kapchok , the seat of the majority leader in the senate has not helped the North Rift region as it did during the time of Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
“If it is speaking, Poghisio can speak but no actions. He won’t help Uhuru Kenyatta .We cannot bank on Poghisio .He is a self centered character,”he said.
He said that Mr Poghisyo lacks the stamina and is not vibrant hence cannot command the region.
“It will be an anthill task for Mr Poghisyo to marshal votes for the handshake team in the rich vote Rift valley region. We have seen a huge lapse on the senate seat in West Pokot.Am the acting senator now.
According to Mr Kapchok, the senator has not been discharging his duties effectively as he has been absent from the County.
“Poghisyo is an empty shell, he could downplayed the offer for solidarity with Rift valley people.Let him ask Franklin Bett ,Isaac Ruto, Henry Koskei, Magerer Lagat and others who refused to toe the line .We are waiting for 2022 elections to teach him a lesson,”he said.
The former Lelan ward MCA contestant who was in Kanu says he is ready to wrestle Mr Poghisyo who he says has lost touch with the people.
“Poghisio is not aware of anything going on in the County.He has not presented any motion,bill or statement from the County in the senate . Poghisio has not been coming home to discuss issues affecting residents and present them to the senate,”said Mr Kapchok.
He accused Mr Poghisio for abandoning the electorate in time of need.
“Poghisyo is a bygone case.We want vibrant,young energetic leaders, leader’s who can get Pokots from the york of poverty . We have not seen him in important forums like peace meetings and tragedies like landslides. He was first elected to parliament in 1988 and has taken national positions including ,ministerial positions hence the senate majority leader but nothing to show off,”said Mr Kapchok.
He vowed to finish Mr Poghisio completely for having a don’t care attitude.
“I will give Poghisio a run of his money .I will teach Poghisio a lesson he will live to remember with .Let him try and see.We will not entertain him to earn money he is not sweating for .He is lazy and sly. He claims that he is learned and he won’t care anymore,” said Mr Kapchok.
Mr Kapchok accused the senator for doing nothing for the many years he has been in leadership.
“The youth have not been given a chance to present their issues .We want to bring a debate on national discourse and present crucial issues to transform young people.,” said Mr Kapchok.
He said that he will offer effective representation, legislation and oversight and bring policies to transform the county if elected for senate next year.
Mr Kapchok who defended the Deputy President Dr William Ruto agenda of bottom up economy said that model will help Kenya push itself to the middle income economy.
“We shall invest in investors .The trickle down effect is not working ,the base of the bottom up economy is youth. The informal sector, ICT and innovative. We want the hustlers to be recognized by law,”he said.
Mr Kapchok who defended his move not to vie the seat on Kanu or the new Kenya Union Party [KUP] said that UDA is a national party and it is not based on any tribe .
