- Kachapin celebrated his return to power on Friday evening at Makutano in Kapenguria town.
- He lauded the West Pokot voters for trusting his first leadership and voting him in.
West Pokot governor-elect Simon Kachapin has asked residents to maintain peace, promising to complete any pending development projects left by his predecessor Prof John Lonyangapuo once he is sworn into office.
Kachapin celebrated his return to power on Friday evening at Makutano in Kapenguria town. He 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, Kachapin vowed not to let them down on matters development, as envisioned by them. They trusted him for the second time after ejecting him in the 2017 election.
“In the 100 days after being sworn into office, I will ensure that all pending projects are implemented to the letter. I will hold no grudge against anybody,” the governor-elect stated.
Kachapin received endorsements from leaders who won and lost in the August 9 election, among them the West Pokot speaker Catherine Mukenyang who lost the Woman Representative contest under the Kenya African National Union party.
Mukenyang said during the thank-the-people celebrations that she was ready to support the governor-elect if called upon to assist, noting that she was still the speaker until 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 said.
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 and 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 party with 86,476 votes against the incumbent governor John Lonyangapuo contesting on a Kenya Union Party ticket, who garnered 84,610.
The hotly contested battle witnessed 48 hours of tension between police and supporters of both factions with each side claiming victory.
In the Woman Representative contest, 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 former Kapenguria MP James Murgor (UDA) who won with 72,240. His closest challenger Geoffrey Lipale (KUP) scored 57,901 votes.
Edited by Henry Makori