Apologise or be cursed, Poghisio, PS told

By Osinde Obare

Pokot and Sengwer elders have demanded an explanation from a Cabinet minister and a Permanent Secretary for pitting them against Kenyans.

The elders now want Information and Communication Minister Samuel Poghisio and Works PS John Lonyangapuo to apologise to the community for ‘lying’ to them that the new Constitution was ‘poisonous’.

Their demand follows reports that villagers in West Pokot District have turned against their dogs and cats, killing them en masse, after they were told they would start paying taxes for the animals if the new law is passed.

The elders met at Talau Village for a five-hour meeting before addressing the Press. Led by Mr James Ngirangole and Mr Moses Rop, they accused the two of allegedly spreading propaganda.

"We regret that we were misled by the minister and the PS to vote against the Proposed Constitution on grounds it was bad. They took advantage of our illiteracy to feed us on falsehoods," said Mr Rop.

Mr Poghisio and Prof Lonyangapuo were given seven days to apologise or ancestral spirits would be invoked to curse them.