Editor's Review

In his presentation of the Pokot community resolve at ODM leader Raila Odinga's Azimio La Umoja forum held in his county, Lonyangapuo said the Pokot community wants its own identity like many other communities in Kenya.

The Pokot community no longer wants to be identified as part of Kalenjin nation, West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has said.

In his presentation of the Pokot community resolve at ODM leader Raila Odinga's Azimio La Umoja forum held in his county, Lonyangapuo said the Pokot community wants its own identity like many other communities in Kenya.

{Azimio La Umoja West Pokot chapter. Photo: Courtesy}

The former prime minister has been moving across various regions in the country where he receives grievances of communities as he plans to stage his presidential bid.

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According to Lonyangapuo, being grouped among the Kalenjin community has left them sidelined on the matters of development and appointments to government positions.

The Governor is certain that with their own identity, his community stands to benefit from the share of the national cake.

"The Pokot community is asking for their own community code. The Pokot wants to have their identification code and that they should not be lammed as Kalenjins. We have been sidelined for years. If Samburus and the Massais are recognised separately yet they are the Maa Community why not us?" Governor Lonyangapuo said.

The Governor further said the region needs two additional constituencies, five wards and compensation for historical injustices.

Among other requests they presented to the ODM leader include one cabinet slot, 3 ambassadorial and 4 principal secretaries from West Pokot and Tiaty areas. Others include five chief executive positions in public corporations, 10 chairpersons posts of public corporations, 20 membership posts in public corporations boards, 2 county commissioners and one regional commissioner.

According to Lonyangapuo, the Pokot community will only support a presidential candidate who will listen and promise to act on their grievances.

He said previous contenders have been hoodwinking his community into supporting their bid only to disappear when they need help.

Governor Lonyangapuo was on Friday, November 12, nominated by the Pokot Community to bargain on their behalf and present their needs to presidential candidates seeking their support.