Blow as governor quits call for vote

The Pesa Mashinani referendum campaign suffered a big blow Sunday after one of its strongest supporters quit.

Nandi governor Cleophas Lagat was forced to change his stand by a hostile crowd in Nandi North where he was attending a harambee in aid of 50 churches.

Dr Lagat said he would toe his party, URP’s line, which is opposed to calls by governors for a referendum to increase funding to counties.

For the first time, Dr Lagat and Nandi Senator Stephen Sang, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Mosop MP Kirwa Bitok, Nandi county Women Representative Zipporah Kering and several MCAs shared one platform, during which the governor was forced to abandon his position.

“I will respect the will of the people who are against the push for a referendum,” said Dr Lagat.

Earlier, senators Sang and Murkomen and Ms Kering asked the governor to denounce the Pesa Mashinani campaign, saying he was among the few Jubilee governors who had gone against Party leader William Ruto.

Mr Murkomen and Sang said that it was unfortunate that the Nandi governor was driving the community into the opposition by championing the referendum campaign seen as a Cord leader Raila Odinga’s plan to revive his political career.

The two senators and MPs said the deputy president stood a good chance of succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta and it was unfortunate that the governor was joining his counterparts who are out to split the vote of the Kalenjin community.

Ever since Dr Lagat announced his support for a referendum, Nandi leaders have been divided, with Members of Parliament and 27 MCAs at the Nandi County Assembly split into two groups.