Stop early campaigns and support Big 4, says Gideon

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi (centre) and his West Pokot counterpart Samuel Poghisio join the Pokot community in a dance at former President Daniel Moi’s Maji Mazuri residence in Uasin Ngishu County, yesterday. (Peter Ochieng, Standard).

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has asked North Rift leaders to support President Uhuru Kenyatta in achieving his Big Four agenda.

Gideon asked the leaders to stop early political campaigns and focus on development projects so as to achieve better education, roads, jobs for the youth and health.

The Kanu chairman yesterday met delegations from the North Rift to discuss development matters of the region. He held discussions with a delegation from the Pokot community and elders from Elgeyo Marakwet County in former President Daniel Moi’s residence in Maji Mazuri, Uasin Gishu County.

“We have agreed with your leaders to tour the country to the sub-location. Some fresh blood have come to join us in the pursuit of development that benefits our people,” he told the delegations.

Gideon had on Friday met the clergy and faithful of the Seventh Day Adventist Church at a prayer service held at the same residence.

Restoring peace

The Pokot community delegation was led by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio and Tiaty MP William Kamket.

The discussions with the delegations revolved around security and development issues in the region.

The delegations discussed ways of restoring peace in volatile areas of the North Rift, including areas bordering West Pokot, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet.

Gideon said he will soon tour the North Rift to listen to residents and address challenges affecting the region.

In the Friday meeting, Gideon heard from farmers representatives, led by former MP and assistant minister Jesse Mais and Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) Director Kipkorir Menjo that woes continued to bedevil the maize sector.

He promised to plan a meeting between the farmers and President Kenyatta in a bid to end the problems ranging from poor prices for their grain to lack of adequate funds for subsidised fertiliser and other inputs.

Senator Poghisio assured Gideon of the community’s support in his bid to unite the country and in seeking solutions affecting residents in West Pokot County.

Poghisio said leaders in the county were fully behind the president’s agenda. He also assured the Kanu boss of the support of West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, who has recently been reported to be working closely with a faction of Jubilee Party associated with Deputy President William Ruto.

“Prof Lonyangapuo is a smart politician. He is a Kanu member and will not quit the party. He will not forget what Moi and Kanu did for him. He is under pressure to join Tanga Tanga but he will remain in the party,” Poghisio said.

He said residents of West Pokot will support a leader who will take care of their interests when election time comes.

Kamket slammed DP Ruto over what he termed as “faking loyalty” to President Kenyatta when his actions show otherwise.

The DP on Friday reaffirmed his support for the president during the launch of Rivatex East Africa Company in Eldoret.

But Kamket said: “It has taken Ruto seven years to pledge loyalty to Uhuru Kenyatta. That loyalty is hollow. Your actions are so loud that we can’t hear what you are saying. What you said in Eldoret is a lie. Prepare to be in the opposition,” Kamket said.

Moiben MP Silas Tiren said the meetings with Gideon are the beginning of a long journey to change the lives of residents of the region.

“We want to see change and we want to work with people who will deliver the change we want,” Tiren said.

Other leaders present during the meetings were Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie and West Pokot County Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Molesia.

During the meeting, the elders gave Gideon a shield and spear to signal their support.