The simmering tensions between two neighbouring communities, Pokot and Turkana came as a boon for ODM party in its quest to cut Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot to size in relation to his Punguza Mizigo Initiative.
ODM party which has already declared it will not support Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo initiative through its Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Atandi lauded West Pokot residents after they denied audience Ekuru Aukot on Wednesday to brief the county assembly on the importance of his initiative.
“West Pokot residents know how to separate imposters, idlers, and hirelings from the true leaders of Revolution. It is a handshake, BBI, President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga to the very end” Posted Atandi.
West Pokot residents know how to seperate imposters, idlers, and hirelings from the true leaders of Revolution. It is handshake, BBI, President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga to the very end. @EAukot https://t.co/mcYw1vnIKr
— Hon Sam Atandi (@SamuelAtandi) August 7, 2019
It is alleged that West Pokot county became hostile to the team, mainly because of poor relations between Ekuru Aukot’s Turkana people and the local residents, after whom the county is named.
The Pokot and the Turkana have fought for many decades, maybe even centuries, in what is largely an extension of traditional cattle raiding practices that have refused to go away.
Someone help me pass this message to Prof. Lonyangapuo. You are a learned person. But telling your own people to Reject PunguzaMzigo because Ekuru Aukot has forgotten his home is thinking like a kid. You must be called out. Tell us what is wrong with the bill, not EKURU AUKOT. pic.twitter.com/JKAFWd7VGR
— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) August 6, 2019
According to reports from a local newspaper, Aukot was heckled by West Pokot MCAs for proposing scrapping of nominated seats, which according to them, had hugely benefited the marginalized counties such as West Pokot.
But for ODM, it was a case of the old saying, my enemy’s enemy is my friend.
ODM is backing its own initiative, the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which is a product of the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
West Pokot County Assembly turned hostile as Ekuru Aukot lobbied MCAs to support his Punguza Mzigo Bill #KTNMorningExpress pic.twitter.com/TGqBfwdMHa
— ktn (@KTNKenya) August 8, 2019
Although ODM party has maintained it is waiting for the BBI committee to complete its public participation, most of Kenyans including ODM supporters have already expressed their satisfaction with Ekuru Aukot’s initiative urging county assembly members to pass it once it is presented to them.