Money factor in muky West Pokot politics – Weekly Citizen

The relationship between the new kid on the block Dennis Ruto Kapchok alias Mulmulwas and former West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin’s camp is getting sour day after day after Kachapin realised that Mulmulwas is gaining popularity to dislodge former Kapenguria MP Julius Murgor, a close ally of Kachapin from vying for the senate seat in the county.
The county has of late seen money flow as camps have emerged. The money factor is being used to outwit each other.
There are two political camps one led by West Pokot governor John Lonyangapuo and another one led by his predecessor Kachapin.

Fome West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin

Mulmulwas had of late been allied to Kachapin’s camp after ditching the Governor John Lonyangapuo’s camp few days after the governor assumed office.
However, a tug-of-war between Mulmulwas and Kachapin alias Chemangal has been ongoing recently because each is looking for supremacy in the county and now the bad blood between Mulmulwas and Kachapin’s foot soldiers seems to worsen.
Mulmulwas who has declared to vie for the senatorial seat has been making headlines over recent weeks after area Lonyangapuo described him as “kijana fupi round, Mulmulwas”.
Lonyangapuo derided Kapchok as “Kijana fupi, amenona, round; huwezi jua tumbo ni wapi na mgongo ni wapi… Hana kazi, hana kazi “(idle and jobless )” after the former MCA aspirant who questioned the county chief on why his deputy Nicholas Atudonyang lives and works as medical expert in the US yet he continues drawing salary.
Mulmulwas, the former MCA hopeful is now working on the formula to finish Kachapin politically.
It is rumoured that Kachapin and Titus Lotee who is currently the county minister for affirmative funds in county stopped funding Mulmulwas whom they were using to frustrate Lonyangapuo.
Mulmumulwas who has also been a great critic of Lonyangapuo opposing government projects in the area, a move that madet William Ruto his recent visit to the county promise Mulmulwas a job on condition that he stops opposing government projects.

Mulmulwas

A close ally of Kachapin who sought anonymity said that it is Kachapin and former deputy governor Lotee are the ones who told Ruto Mulmulwas should be given a job to silence him so that he does not vie for the senatorial seat reserved for Kachapin or Murgor.
However, the scheme hit a snag after Kijana Fupi rejected the job offer from Ruto accusing Lonyangapuo and county commissioner Apollo Okello for misleading and misinforming the DP that he was opposing all government projects in the county.
According to a source in the Kachapin’s camp, Kachapin who is currently the Energy chief administrative secretary and Lotee, has seen Mulmulwas as a threat to Murgor.
“We cannot be funding a young man who is gaining popularity. If he is after the senate seat, where will my brother Murgor go?” asked Kachapin
Kachapin a Jubilee member who was defeated by Lonyangapuo has also shown interest of coming back for the governors’s seat.
“I want residents to give my brother Lonyangapuo ample time to deliver on what he promised the electorate because as things stand, I still have the network to vie for the governorship,”said Kachapin.
Word has it that his son, a lawyer Kevin Kachapin, says that his father may opt to vie for the senator’s seat as things seems to be complicated as Lonyangapuo appears to be hard nut to crack.
“We are thinking of vying for the senate seat in the next polls,” said the small Kachapin.

Murgor

This however has made Murgor uncomfortable in Kachapin’s camp as he wants to vie for the senator’s seat after being defeated in the last polls by Samuel Poghisio.
Hearing of Kachapin coming for the senatorial seat, Murgor is also crafting a formula to go back as the Kapenguria MP.
This also has contributed to Kachapin distancing himself from Mumulwas who is now giving them sleepless nights because of outspokenness to defend rights of residents in the county.
During the launch of the Mulmulwas movement two months ago, the launch was not successful after Kachapin and Lotee withdrew support at the last minute.
Many people whom Mulmulwas owed some debts are still waiting to be paid.
It is the same thing that made Mulmulwas to go for the Chepareria meeting at night for lacking funds.