Governor Mandago fires warning shots to ‘tribalists’ in Uasin Gishu

Uasin Gishu Governor, Jackson Mandago, has pleaded with the political leaders seeking elective posts in the county to take into considerations all the communities residing in the area.

Mandago insisted that Uasin Gishu is a cosmopolitan county with virtually all the Kenyan communities represented.

He urged the leaders to desist from tribal politics that can possibly polarize the county.

The governor cited the unfortunate events of the 2007/08 elections aftermath where the county became a ethnicity violence flashpoint.

“Sisi tulisema kama viongozi wa sehemu hii, hii uchaguzi ambayo twafanya mwaka kesho tutafanya kwa amani ili tuendelee kupata ‘partners’ na marafiki wa kusaidia sisi kwa maendeleo [As the leaders of this area, we have decided that we will conduct next year’s General Election in a peaceful manner so as to continue attracting partners and friends to helps us in the development agenda],” said Governor Mandago.

Mandago noted that tribal based politics would drive away investors and development partners who would otherwise put their money in the county.

Governor Mandogo together with his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart, Alex Tolgos, and several other legislators from North Rift region were in the forefront of opposing the appointment of Prof Laban Ayiro as the Vice Chancellor of Moi University.

The politicians criticized Education CS, Fred Matiang’i, of playing tribal card in appointing the University’s top don.

Mandago and his compatriots were pushing for the appointment of Prof Isaac Kosgei as the varsity’s VC, who they claimed had emerged first in the interviews conducted.

The leaders were later ordered by interior CS, Joseph Nkaissery, to record statements at the Department of Criminal Investigations, DCI, headquarters in Nairobi, after which they seemed to relax on their push.

Written by Moses Ngugi