Stop zoning areas to win votes, gubernatorial aspirants told

Aspirants for the gubernatorial seat have embarked on early campaigns, triggering fears that politicians are already dividing residents in the region.

Local residents have accused the aspirants of profiling them as northerners (Amtalla) and southerners (Sudi) and warned that the trend could create animosity in the region.

Amtalla and Sudi were great paramount chiefs during the colonial era.

Bungoma County is a cosmopolitan region, but the majority community are Bukusus, followed by Sabaots of Mt Elgon, Tachoni of Webuye, Batura of Bumula and the Iteso and the minority group, the Ogiek.

The Amtalla reside in Webuye, Kimilili, Tongaren and Mt Elgon regions while the Sudi occupy Kabuchai, Sirisia, Kanduyi and Bumula areas.

A Bungoma-based Human Rights activist Philip Wanyonyi said it was unhealthy for politicians to zone areas.

“Since they are seeking votes from across board, they should not cause divisions through zoning and tribal arithmetic as this will cause unwanted tension and will split the region,” he said.

Strong bloc

Former Kanduyi MP Alfred Khang’ati said it was unhealthy for aspirants to zone the region because they need all voters to win.

“A good leader is elected by all people not putting in mind zones. Let us avoid politics that can cause unnecessary tension,” he said.

Mr Khang’ati, an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) aspirant, told his rivals to exercise caution while campaigning. “The propaganda being spread by different gubernatorial candidates is unhealthy and may infiltrate into peoples’ minds creating divisions,” he said.

“We need to build this county into one strong bloc. Any amount of divisions should be castigated in the strongest terms possible. We are one and should sell our manifestos to all and sundry instead of using the Amtalla and the Sudi issues to win votes. The person who will be elected will serve all of us,” said Khang’ati.

Other leaders who have declared interest in governorship include the incumbent Kenneth Lusaka, businessman Wycliffe Wangamati, Consumer Federation of Kenya Director Stephen Mutoro among others. Lusaka hails from the Amtalla.

Consumer Federation of Kenya Director Stephen Mutoro (PHOTO: COURTESY)

In 2013, a former journalist Walinywa Mukhamule, former commissioner to the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya, Jack Tumwa among others contested.

Mr Wangamati is one of the candidates who is also moving round popularising himself.

“I am here to help the common mwananchi access good services. I want to restore their faith with my election as their next governor. That is why I am fundraising for different groups, churches and so forth,” said Wangamati. He said politicians should avoid turning locals against each other as they move around the county.

Mr Lusaka also warned against zoning of the county while campaigning.

He expressed optimism of beating all his rivals eyeing to unseat him.

“The local residents can bear with me that I have tried as their first governor. It has been a tough term and we have been used to test if devolution can work. I am requesting for voters to give me another chance so that I can take over from where I left so that I can change their lives,” he said.