The Rift Valley should not be kept waiting until President Uhuru Kenyatta retires in 2022 to have their political and development affairs adequately addressed, Kanu leaders have said.
Senators from the party led by Kanu National Chairman Gideon Moi, said their interest is about next year’s General Election and has nothing do with Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
Gideon, who was accompanied by senators John Lonyangapuo and Zipporah Kittony, described those talking about 2022 as self-seekers without the interest of the community at heart.
“Those busy dismissing our political direction are currently enjoying themselves and occupying lucrative political positions while those they represent are languishing in abject poverty. Our people have suffered enough and any amount of political intimidation will not be entertained,” said the Baringo Senator.
The leaders were speaking at Chemolingot town in Tiaty, Baringo, during a thanksgiving ceremony following the acquittal of Baringo County Assembly Speaker William Kamket and two Members of the assembly of incitement and murder charges over the November 2014 murder of 21 police officers in Kapedo.
Gideon asked residents of Baringo and West Pokot counties to ignore the political wave sweeping across Rift Valley and choose their leaders wisely in next year’s elections.
As a sign of respect, Pokot elders presented Gideon with a traditional headgear locally known as (tenta) which is made of beads and a white ostrich feather. He also had a traditional belt (Longotio) wrapped around his waist.
ETHNIC BLOCS
Gideon thanked residents of Tiaty for standing with the three leaders and maintaining peace throughout the court process.
“I was really shocked by their arrest and subsequent prosecution. But because I was much aware about the unrest in Baringo, I decided to stand with them until justice was secured,” he said.
Prof Lonyangapuo said that Kanu has no problem with the President and that the party had resolved to support his bid for another term but with conditions.
“It will not be for free. Our people must first be given lucrative positions in the Government. For the last few years, our people have suffered and any calls to wait a little longer will not be accepted,” said Lonyangapuo.
He also called for political change in Tiaty. “Development in this region has stagnated for years because of poor leadership. Time has come for the current leadership to pave way for others to take over the political mantle,” he said.
Senator Kittony (nominated) said that a few “political brokers” in Rift Valley were talking negatively about Kanu and urged residents to ignore such divisive voices.
“Kindly register as voters massively because those making the loudest noise are there because of your votes,” she told the residents.
Also present during the prayer meeting were members of county assemblies from West Pokot and Baringo counties as well as Migori County Assembly Speaker Gordon Ogolla and Kamket’s lawyer Kipkoech Ngetich.
In response to the Kanu leaders, however, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said the Deputy President has no interest in being the “president of the Kalenjin community”.
“William Ruto is not seeking to be the community’s president. He is pursuing national leadership. The country has moved from the era of ethnic blocs,” Murkomen said.
Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri accused Kanu of misleading Kenyans.
He said that the arrangement between the President and his deputy had united Kenyans, especially in the Rift Valley.
