Pokot elders have threatened to curse leaders who are using youth to cause chaos in the County ahead of the forthcoming general elections. The elders said some leaders in the county have sensed defeat and are using youths to create tension in the region and to gain their selfish political interests.
The move comes three days after KANU supporters held demonstrations against deputy president William Ruto claiming that he abused the community.
The leaders led by Kalenjin council of elders leader James Lukwo said they will not accept to witness political leaders from the region using youths to cause tension and destroy property. “Leaders should trade their tools well. We don’t want to see any bloodshed in this region,” he said. Lukwo urged all elected leaders from the region to unite and portray a good picture that can be admired by the youths.
West Pokot council of elders chairman John Mwok asked the leaders to execute their constitutional mandate as stipulated instead of engaging in unhealthy politics that will ruin development. “Peace has been maintained within our borders and right now we want to focus on developing our County. We shall not accept few leaders to create tension within our county,” he said.
Mwok said the community will work with the government of the day to see that the region that was marginalized for a long time has been developed. “Instead of us fighting for development, some of our leaders are misleading us and engaging themselves in supremacy wars,” he said.
He said as a community they will not endorse any leader to vie for any political seat if he is out to divide the residents. The elders vowed to support Jubilee government citing that they will not join the former ruling party KANU. “We will not join the opposition but we shall work with the government of the day,” said Samuel Kamari, Pokot Central council of elders’ chairperson.
They singled out area senator Prof. John Lonyangapuo, who they say used propaganda to lead the youths astray.
The elders accused the senator of misuse of words concerning the deputy president, after the elders visited the DP at his Karen home. “He should not spoil the name of the Deputy President if he has his personal problems with him he should look for ways of solving the problems instead of engaging the whole community,” said Harrison Loyatum, the organizing secretary of the elders. They asked the senator to apologize to the deputy president and the elders.
However in a rejoinder through a press release this morning, Lonyangapuo refuted the claims saying that the elders come from the governor’s clan that’s why they are supporting him.
“The council doesn’t represent the Pokot community most of the elders are from the governor’s clan and are misadvising the governor,” he said.
He said when he carries out his constitutional mandate of oversight role the elders see as if he is fighting development in the region.
“There is no way a Senator can be an organizer of demonstrations. But the Pokot community has a right to demonstrate, against anybody, who belittles or fights their own elected leaders. I want to warn these elders against bringing conflicts between County leaders, and also between County elected leaders and the national leaders,” he said.