New South Rift KNCCI director returns home to rousing welcome

Hundreds of members of the Maa communioty and Narok residents turned up in numbers on Thursday to welcome the new Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry regional  director in South Rift David Mpatiany following his victory in last week's polls. 

Business in the sprawling commercial centre came to a standstill when Mpatiany arrived in Narok town in a convoy of about 30 vehicles and motorcycles that snaked its way to his home where he was given a rousing welcome.

His arrival caused heavy traffic snarl up along the busy Narok-Mai Mahiu highway as commuters traveling to Nairobi, Maasai Mara and Western Kenya were stranded in the centre.

Security was tight as he made his way to his home amidst ululations and Maasai traditional songs fit for a hero returning from a successful expedition.

He was accompanied by Bomet KNCCI chairman Leonard Langat, his  Narok counterpart Francis Kasale, Kajiado's Joseph Ntele, vice chairperson Magdalene Ndilai, local, church, matatu and taxi leaders.

Mpatiany, who is the immediate former chairman of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Narok Chapter, was elected after defeating Stephen Thuo, who hails from Nakuru, by four votes to two during the elections conducted at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on June 8.

The delegates from six counties of Nakuru, Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Laikipia and Kajiado participated in the polls.

Mpatiany, who also served as Maa chamber of commerce and industry chairman, is the first Maasai to hold the position since the inception of the chamber in 1964.

While delivering his inaugural speech, Mpatiany thanked the delegates for having confidence in him and giving him a new mandate.

"I'm ready to serve you all without favouritism and fear because my agenda is to help the chamber to achieve its goals, helping traders and the business community in our region," Mpatiany said.

He also said that he was impressed by the delegates for having agreed to support him in the elections despite their different camps.

"We agreed with the delegates for a common goal by electing me as the next regional director and I'm glad that they were not distracted by the national office contesters because at the end of the day, we want the issues affecting our business people to be addressed in our counties and strive ahead in terms of development,” he said.

The new regional director also noted that the elections are over and called upon his fellow officials to get down to work because it is now time for service delivery to their members and Kenyans at large.

On his part, Cheruiyot said that he will forge a good working relationship with the new president of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Eric Rutto after beating incumbent Richard Ngatia by 291 votes against 208.

"I know Mpatiany supported the outgoing president Richard Ngatia and we tried to persuade him to support Rutto but he had a stand on his preferred choice. Now elections are over, I will ensure that both of them work together for the betterment of the business community,” Cheruiyot said.

He added that even though they supported different candidates for president, this would not stop them from agreeing on who to support as the regional director.

Daniel Nkuyayu, a local leader, said the election of Mpatiany is an honour to the Maa people and acknowledged the delegates who gave him the new role.

"We are feeling that our community is being honoured and we are appreciating that move. Mpatiany’s victory is the second honour to us after the installation of Rev Jackson Ole Sapit as  the sixth Anglican Church of Kenya archbishop in 2016," Nkuyayu.