West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin has underscored the significance of unity and cooperation in realising the development objectives for the county, calling for unity and cooperation among leaders and government employees.
Speaking during the Mashujaa celebrations at Makutano Primary in West Pokot County, the Governor credited the successes thus far to effective coordination between county staff and the national government.
Kachapin noted the county’s ongoing partnerships with neighbouring counties, such as Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet, aimed at ensuring security both within and outside West Pokot.
The governor expressed pride in the county government’s developmental achievements and urged residents to support the government’s initiatives.
He warned against any actions that could foster division, highlighting the necessity of unity for prosperity.
According to Kachapin, a harmonious relationship between the county assembly officials and national government representatives is essential for delivering government services effectively.
He also called on Members of Parliament and other county leaders to refrain from engaging in premature politics, advocating instead for unity among all county leaders to focus on service delivery, economic development, and security, rather than creating divisions that could hinder progress.
Kachapin noted that leaders should prioritise initiatives that foster development and economic empowerment for the community rather than placing their own interests above those of the residents.
He emphasised that unity is essential for achieving development, and leaders must focus on issues that contribute to the welfare of the residents.
“I encourage my fellow leaders to steer clear of divisive politics that do not serve the interests of the people,” he stated.
The county boss urged county employees to fulfil their responsibilities diligently and with commitment, emphasising the importance of their contributions to the county’s development agenda.
He cautioned that consequences would be imposed on county employees who do not meet expectations, as residents rely on their performance to access essential services from government offices, projects, and initiative.
He stated that during the national celebrations, it is essential for both county and national government officials to participate in the events, noting that such participation would allow them to hear the demands of the residents and respond to enquiries regarding the delivery of services related to their respective departments.
The governor stated that the residents rely on both county and national personnel for the delivery of services related to various projects, initiatives, and programs.
He emphasized that the needs of the residents are numerous, and there exists no alternative to fulfilling the specific demands that have been made by them.
The County Commissioner (CC) Abdulahi Khalif announced the national government is committed to service delivery, urging residents and the government to take an active lead in supporting the government in its service delivery.
He said West Pokot is rich in mineral resources and asserted that external explorers should not be permitted to extract minerals from West Pokot County without providing benefits to the local community.
“We have come to the realisation that this is the land of West Pokot, where the residents continue to live in poverty despite the presence of valuable minerals. Exploiters come to take advantage of these resources and leave without contributing any revenue to either the national or county government,” stated Khalif.
He informed all investors that the exploitation of West Pokot’s residents will no longer be tolerated, having issued a directive to work closely with the relevant departments to ensure that the people of West Pokot receive fair benefits from their own natural resources.
CC Khalif assured the residents of the government’s dedication to reopening all border schools that have been closed, including Cheptulel, by January and emphasized that security measures will be considerably improved.
He urged the county government to ensure that all health centres are adequately equipped, ensuring them of improved security in the region.
In his part, West Pokot County Speaker Fred Kaptui highlighted the urgent need to address the high illiteracy rate in the county, which stands at 60%, by employing a greater number of teachers.
He remarked, “The recent allocation of teachers is still insufficient to bridge the educational gap in this county.”
The Speaker expressed gratitude to the county commissioner for collaborating with the governor in assessing the security situation, with hopes that stability will soon be achieved.
Furthermore, he urged the County Commissioner to investigate the recent incident in Pokot Central, where approximately fifty cattle were killed by the Kenya Defence Forces, noting that it marks the third occurrence of such an event. Area MCA
Mnagei ward Member of County Assembly, Richard Todosia, raised concerns about existing inequalities, particularly regarding electricity access within the municipality.
“Although we are the headquarters constituency, many assume we do not face challenges; however, certain areas in Ndururumo are experiencing significant electricity issues,” Todosia stated.
He pointed out that while West Pokot County received 200 skims of electric power, the Kapenguria constituency was allocated only 27 skims, with other constituencies receiving larger shares.
Todosia further noted that Endough Ward, recognised as the third-largest electricity producer in Kenya, lacks any electricity posts.
“What criteria are being used that result in us receiving merely 10% of the allocation, despite having substantial wards like Endough and Sook without electricity?” he lamented.
He also mentioned similar disparities in teacher employment, indicating that while 129 primary teacher positions were available, only 24 were allocated to their constituency, with others receiving more.
He urged the county commissioner and his team to carefully consider the issue raised.
By Anthony Melly and Agneta Chebet
