West Pokot DG defends four-year absence, now wants to be Governor

West Pokot Deputy Governor Dr. Nicholas Atudonyang made headlines a few years ago when it emerged that he was nowhere in the county shortly after he was elected alongside Governor John Longangapuo.

But with elections fast approaching, Dr. Atudonyang is back and in fact, wants the county residents to promote him to the position of Governor. He announced his intention to vie for the West Pokot Gubernatorial seat on Friday.

The Neurosurgeon, practicing in the USA, had been missing from the county almost the entirety of the current term of elected leaders.

Raring to battle it out with his boss, the controversial DG returned to be crowned the Pokot leader in Amaya Tiaty East, announcing a ‘new dawn’ to West Pokot politics.

Almost five years ago, Governor Lonyangapuo was designated and installed a Pokot leader at the same shrine along River Amaya.

The race is shaping up and promises to be an interesting battle with the medic keen to fly the KANU ticket, Lonyangapuo contesting on his newly formed KUP, while former Governor Simon Kachapin goes for the seat on a UDA ticket.

The unique ceremony involves the slaughtering of a bull, a camel, and a goat roasted with its hides and served with specific twigs as elders bless the leaders seated next to the carcasses as special prayer is made. The venue lies East of Baringo from where it is believed the sun rises.

The crowning of the deputy Governor allegedly signifies that he now assumes leader of Pokot community post which until now has been held by his boss Lonyangapuo.

Senate majority leader Samuel Phoghisho accused Prof Lonyangapuo over his ‘decision to run the county single-handedly’. He argues that the governor did not value the input of other elected leaders.

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