COUNTY POLITICS: Aspirants woo Mount Elgon voters to clinch Bungoma gubernatorial seat

Leading aspirants for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat have mounted aggressive campaigns in the Mount Elgon region inhabited by the Sabaot.

A number of aspirants are dangling the running mate’s position to the community, considered a swing bloc. They appear to be following a strategy employed successfully by current Governor Ken Lusaka, who in 2013 picked Mr Hillary Chongwony, a Sabaot, as he sought to consolidate the Mount Elgon vote.

One of the aspirants, Mr Wycliffe Wangamati, who intends to vie on a Ford Kenya ticket, is said to have identified a running mate from the region.

“We have met a number of elders and professionals from the region, who have suggested a deputy for us,” said Mr Jeff Wekesa, the aspirant’s communication manager.

Mr Lusaka, on the other hand, is under pressure from a section of elders to drop his deputy and pick a new running mate from the region.

But the Sabaot Council of Elders is itself divided over these calls. One faction led by council chairman Reuben Butaki has opposed the move, while another, headed by Mr Stephen Musani and Mr Rofas Siyoi, insists that the governor names a new running mate as they have lost trust in Mr Chongwony.

The dissatisfied group accuses the deputy governor of neglecting them. They say he has not pushed hard enough for the region’s development despite being able to do so.

'ANOTHER DEPUTY'

“We want the governor to drop him so that we can choose another deputy for him,” said Mr Siyoi.

This group appears to have the backing of Mount Elgon Member of Parliament (MP) John Serut, who has also accused the deputy governor of “forgetting his region”.

Mr Serut said he would campaign against Mr Lusaka should he not pick somebody else.

But the Butaki-led group insists that the governor should stick with Mr Chongwony.

They disputed claims that the deputy had neglected the region, saying they had witnessed development during his time in office. “He has done well despite many challenges. We will continue supporting his political marriage with Mr Lusaka,” said Mr Butaki.

The situation is a big headache to Mr Lusaka, who is leaning on the side that supports Mr Chongwony.

Recently, the county boss was accused of snubbing a meeting called by some elders who wanted the conduct of the deputy discussed. The angry elders accused the governor of not taking them seriously.

“We had an appointment with the governor. But he left in a huff although he knew we were around. He told our representative that he had another function to attend,” said Mr Musani.

LAST WEEK

Meanwhile, Mr Lusaka has vowed to stand with his deputy. Addressing the press last week in Webuye after meeting the faction of elders siding with the deputy, Mr Lusaka said he was happy with Mr Chongwony’s performance.

“I have had an excellent relationship with him. Nothing will separate us now,” he said, adding: “He is focused and steadfast in his leadership. I have no intention of changing my deputy”.

Contacted, Mr Chongwony said: “Mount Elgon is on a serious development path. We have opened roads that had previously been forgotten. We have given youths jobs in the county government. We are still doing a lot for the people of Mount Elgon”.

In Trans Nzoia, the situation is the same, with gubernatorial aspirants dangling the deputy position to the Sabaot community, considered the second largest ethnic group in the region.

“Anybody who wants to be the governor should have a running mate from our community, as is the case in Bungoma County,” said Mr Titus Mayiek, a former councillor.

This is a tough puzzle for incumbent Governor Patrick Khaemba, whose deputy – Dr Stanley Tarus — is from the Nandi community in Cherang’any. Dr Tarus is keen on retaining the arrangement.