The first West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin has asked area residents to maintain peace as he promises to complete any pending development projects that may have not been completed by his predecessor Prof. John Lonyangapuo once he gets sworn into office.
While celebrating his victory at Makutano Shopping centre in Kapenguria Town, Kachapin unequivocally lauded the West Pokot voters for trusting his first leadership and voting him in to replace the current leadership.
He said he will ensure that his vision for the county when he was elected in 2013 still holds and will ensure the region achieves all aspects of development as desired by his electorate.
Terming himself as the West Pokot residents’ project, he vowed not to let them down on matters development, as envisioned by them which made them have trust in him to elect him for the second time after ejecting him in the 2017 election.
“In the 100 days after being sworn into the office, I will ensure that all pending projects are implemented to the latter. I will hold no grudge against anybody,” stated the governor-elect.
Kachapin received endorsements from leaders who won and lost in the August 9, 2022 elections among them the West Pokot speaker Catherine Mukenyang who lost the Woman Representative contest under the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party.
Mukenyang said during the thank-the-people celebrations that she was steady to support the governor-elect if called upon to assist, noting that she is still the speaker until when she hands over the position to the new administration.
“I must report that my tenure in office as the speaker of the county assembly of West Pokot has been so hectic but with the ushering in of the new administration I hope whoever occupies my position will be comfortable,” she announced.
At the same time the MP-elect for Kapenguria constituency Samuel Moroto said he has confidence in Kachapin’s leadership assuring residents of collaboration between his office with the county government.
“My office is under the national government but we shall be coordinating to ensure the county achieves its dreams,” said Moroto
Kachapin won the gubernatorial seat under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) with 86,476 votes against the incumbent governor John Lonyangapuo contesting on a Kenya Union Party (KUP) who garnered 84,610 in a hotly contested battle after 48 hours of tension between police and supporters of both factions with each side claiming victory.
In the Woman Representative seat, Rael Kasiwai (KUP) trounced the incumbent Lilian Tomitom (UDA) after garnering 67,401 votes against 53,959.
In the senatorial contest, seasoned West Pokot politician Samuel Poghisio who garnered 41,119 votes came third to a once Kapenguria MP James Murgor (UDA) who won with 72,240 with his closest challenger Geoffrey Lipale (KUP) who scored 57,901 votes.
By Richard Muhambe
