Go vie in Kisumu where you are married, Sossion tells Laboso
What you need to know:
- Mr Sossion said it was unfair for Dr Laboso to campaign in the region, which gave her sympathy votes following the demise of her sister, Lorna Laboso, the then Sotik MP, in June 2008.
- While attending a celebratory event graced by Mr Ruto in Mogor, Bomet County, the unionist urged residents not to allow Dr Laboso to take advantage of their kindness.
Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has stirred controversy after he urged National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso to vie for the governorship in Kisumu County, the home county of the man she is married to, and not in Bomet.
Mr Sossion said it was unfair for Dr Laboso to campaign in the region, which gave her sympathy votes following the death of her sister, Lorna Laboso, the then Sotik MP, in June 2008.
Dr Laboso has declared she will contest the seat held by Governor Isaac Ruto, a friend of Mr Sossion.
Others interested in the governor's seat include Deputy Governor Stephen Mutai, National Water and Pipeline Corporation chairman Julius Kones and engineer Frank Moi.
Dr Laboso, a former lecturer at Egerton University, is married to a man from Kisumu’s Nyakach area.
“Someone tell Joyce on my behalf to go and vie for [the] governorship in Kisumu. She is now a daughter of that land because they already paid us bride price,” said Mr Sossion.
“Joyce is a good leader and up to the governorship task. But not here,” added Mr Sossion.
'DEMEANING' REMARKS
While attending a celebratory event graced by Mr Ruto in Mogor, Bomet County, the unionist urged residents not to allow Dr Laboso to take advantage of their kindness.
“I speak the truth as always. We voted Dr Laboso into Parliament as a consolation after Dr Lorna passed on. She now wants to extend the handshake beyond the elbow. But I am asking you people of Bomet, let no one take advantage of your kindness,” said Mr Sossion.
But the Knut boss said if the deputy Speaker insists on vying for the top Bomet seat, he would question her on what age group and initiation group the husband belongs to.
“If she becomes a governor, it will be surprising that a certain name will rule us here. You know that other name?” asked Mr Sossion.
“Dr Abonyo,” the crowd responded
This was a reference to Dr Laboso’s husband.
Mr Sossion and Dr Laboso two weeks ago clashed at an event in Bomet after he publicly endorsed Mr Ruto for a second term.
Some members of Knut have come out demanding an apology from Mr Sossion, calling his remarks reckless and demeaning.
More than 50 teachers, led by Cecilia Mutai, on Tuesday threatened to withdraw their membership from the union if Mr Sossion does not apologise.
