- The council of elders led by John Echwa, former council of Lodwar, said Senator Ekal is fit to succeed Nanok.
- Elder William Abongon from Loima urged DP Ruto to heed the declaration of elders who endorsed Senator Ekal to succeed Governor Nanok on the UDA ticket.
A section of Turkana Council of Elders has slaughtered cows and goats to appease the gods, endorsing Turkana Senator Malachy Ekal to succeed Governor Josphat Nanok for the UDA ticket.
Another faction said it is not elders' role to endorse an aspirant, only to bless a successful nominee.
The pro-endorsement elders come from seven subcounties, including Turkana Central, Loima, Kibish, Turkana North, Turkana West, Turkana South and Turkana East.
They agreed to bless ODM Senator Ekal's ambition to govern Turkana and symbolically instal him.
The council of elders led by John Echwa, a former council member of Lodwar, said Ekal is fit to succeed Nanok.
“There are so many aspirants seeking the gubernatorial seat, but we have only identified Ekal as a potential successor,” he said.
Elder William Abongon from Loima urged Deputy President William Ruto to listen to the arguments of the elders who have endorsed Ekal for the UDA ticket.
Philip Muya, said they have all agreed to instal and bless Turkana Senator Ekal for the governor's seat.
“We have slaughtered animals under the tree to appease the gods. We are all in agreement to support Ekal because he’s a learned person and the most mature to lead the Turkana people,” he said.
Another elders' faction, led by the chairman of the council Charles Lorogoi, said it is not the role of elders to endorse aspirants but to bless those the voters have nominated.
At least seven aspirants aim to succeed outgoing Nanok who is aiming for a national seat.
Nanok is a regional point man for DP Ruto and is the UDA director for campaigns. He was removed as ODM vice chairman for his pro-Ruto position.
After serving two terms, Nanok has said he will endorse the best person to succeed him.
He said the candidate must have strong credentials to improve water supply, food security, strengthen peace building, private sector development and resource mobilisation.
Nanok said he wants to stay active in politics and champion the interests of Turkana at the national level.
“Politics is about the interests of the people. I deplore those who want to be governor to further their selfish agendas," Nanok said.
The seven aspirants are MCA Erastus Lokaale (assembly speaker), MPs Jeremiah Lomurkai (Loima), John Lodepe (Turkana Central) and James Lomenen (Turkana South).
Others are CS for Petroleum and Mining John Munyes, Malachy Ekal and and former Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro.
Nanok, former chairman of the Council of Governors, has a well-oiled political machine to promote himself and his preferred successor.
Those seeking the UDA ticket are Lokaale, Lodepe, Lomenen and Ekal.
Nanok and Lokaale are allies and the governor is considered likely to endorse the speaker.
(Edited by V. Graham)