ODM leader Raila Odinga has received a major boost after the Pokot community declared to support his 2022 presidential bid.
The new Kenya Union Party (KUP) leaders led by West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, Pokot South Mp David Pkosing, former Tiaty MP Asman Kamama and area Senator Samuel Poghisio (KANU) declared support for the former Premier.
Odinga on Monday took his Azimio la Umoja campaigns to West Pokot County.
The former Prime Minister was welcomed by West Pokot county Governor John Lonyangapuo who is the party leader of the new Kenya Union Party (KUP), Senate Majority leader Samuel Poghisio, Pokot South David Pkosing, former Tiaty MP Asman Kamama among other area Leaders.
Prof Lonyangapuo said that they will give the Pokot Proposal to any Presidential candidate.
“We want our proposal to bring fruits to West Pokot County,’he said.
He said West Pokot county and Tiaty area had more than 300 000 votes to give out.
“We have been marginalized for a long time and that’s why people are protesting”, he said.
Pokot South Mp David Pkosing who read the statement at the Kishaunet meeting said Odinga is well placed to lead the country.
The leaders cited that for a long time, the Pokot community has been given a raw deal in previous and current governments.
In their proposal, the leaders said that they want the Pokot community recognized as a tribe not as Kalenjins.
They also want East Pokot sub County in Baringo to be a county.
He proposed for many projects in the region to improve the economy of the region.
The declaration is set to change the political arithmetic of the region perceived to be under the control of Deputy President William Ruto .
He said that West Pokot is faced with a lot of challenges and the 6 thousand social welfare program proposed by the former Premier will help residents from the york of poverty.
“We have today presented our community memorandum to Raila Odinga about the problems facing the region “he said.
Poghisio (KANU) called on residents in the North Rift region to rally behind the ODM leader.
Poghisio said that West Pokot will support Raila Odinga in 2022.
“Don’t go to UDA and waste votes,” he said.
He called on residents to reject leaders using money to woo them for votes citing that many have a hidden agenda.
Odinga who later addressed residents at Chelang’a gardens in Makutano township was accompanied with Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos ,Suna East Mp Junet Mohammed, Nominated MP Maina Kamanda met with delegates from ODM and KUP parties drawn from the five constituencies of the county and Tiaty constituency in Baringo county.
Odinga cited that if elected President, he will address all the historical injustices that were done on the community.
‘‘We want to raise the lives of residents who have been marginalized for a long period,” he said.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, who is the KUP party leader, read and presented the proposal of the Pokot community to the former prime minister.
Pkosing said that the two main parties ODM and KUP are all one.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said that Azimio la Umoja will bring Kenyans together.
“Raila Odinga wants to see a United Kenya, not tribal and with no corruption. We have come here to sit down with Pokot leaders and listen to their problems.” He said.
He faulted the Tanga Tanga brigade for running up and down the country without any agenda.
He said that DP Ruto should not promise anything to Kenyans as he has failed on those they give out to Kenyans in 2017.
“He has not fulfilled the promises and his office has defeated him because he is looking for leadership through corruption. They should not misuse elders in their rallies,” he said.
He called on the KUP party to work together with ODM for the two parties to be seen on the National map.
