West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo left TV host Anne Kiguta in stitches after he ardently defended Deputy President William Ruto over his alleged involvement in the Ksh40 billion arms deal that saw former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa arrested on Thursday, February 13.
Speaking during the K24 Punchline show hosted by Kiguta on Sunday, February 16, Lonyangapuo called on leaders spreading propaganda against the deputy president to leave the matter to the relevant authorities to pursue it more professionally.
“Jumping into an issue and starting with conclusions and condemnation is not a very good thing for Kenyans,” the governor said.
Prof Lonyangapuo: DP Ruto should allow government agencies to pursue the matter to its conclusion. Jumping into the matter and starting with conclusions is not good.#Punchline @WilliamsRuto @AnneKiguta pic.twitter.com/WcAw40qxKn
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) February 16, 2020
Lonyangapuo went on to caution Kenyans against ‘crucifying’ the very leaders they elected while calling for government agencies to fast-track their investigations to avoid ‘lynching the wrong person’.
“We should not behave like lynch mobs, especially we the leaders… We can end up lynching the wrong person or if it’s true then what happens to the money stolen?” Lonyangapuo posed when asked to comment on the perception that the DP is a corrupt leader.
Prof Lonyangapuo also exuded confidence that the institutions tasked to investigate and punish corrupt and rogue government officials have come of age and independent enough to arrest senior top most politicians such as the deputy president.
Moreover, the governor accused young leaders of character assassination in which he said some of the politicians from the Rift Valley are showing immaturity that is of no benefit to the vote-rich region.
“We have newly elected leaders who have come just the other day. They have not even finished two and a half years but are talking louder than they are born,” Lonyangapuo said amid laughter from Kiguta.
“Some of them are never in their constituencies. They are glued in TV stations only crucifying individuals with their mouths.”
Prof Lonyangapuo: Political rivalry is allowed but character assassination should not be allowed. #Punchline pic.twitter.com/wcoEelDEyH
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) February 16, 2020
Lonyangapuo also rubbished perceptions that the rift is held at ransom by the DP and his political nemesis Gideon Moi claiming that the region could produce another kingpin before the upcoming 2022 elections.
“Rift Valley is not about Ruto and Gideon. For now we are wasting time on them. A giant can rise up from anywhere, including Samburu. Those two leaders are just ordinary like us. We have only declared we support Uhuru Kenyatta and he has not retired yet,” he asserted.
Watch the full interview below: