Jubilee, Kanu women groups hold demos in West Pokot

Politics in West Pokot County took a new twist as Jubilee and Kanu women supporters held parallel protests in Makutano town West Pokot County over Senator John Lonyangapuo remarks during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Makutano Primary School.

During Jamhuri Day celebrations Senator Lonyangapuo took a swipe at a group of women wearing dresses written “Warembo na Uhuru” and accused them of heckling him.

“You should keep quiet and allow us to make our speeches. You should be ashamed that the uniform you have put on was bought by a man who is not your husband,” said a seemingly irked Lonyangapuo.

Lonyangapuo remarks provoked the Jubilee camp, with the women holding demos on Wednesday morning to demand an apology from Lonyangapuo.

The women lamented that their democratic right of being affiliated to the Jubilee party was violated.

They carried placards written “Lonyangapuo must respect women” and chanted songs that condemned the senator.

“He doesn’t have respect for our husbands for calling us prostitutes, will vote for Kachapin because he respects women, he has a loose tongue and will not waste our votes on such leaders,” said Chepokuo Lokorkilim, one of the protesters.

Meanwhile, Jubilee Party aspirants in Nyeri have urged the national steering committee that is spearheading the appointment of county interim officials to ensure the team that will be selected will deliver free and fair nominations.

Nyeri businessman Wambugu Nyamu said that they want the leaders to stay away from party issues, noting that they fear they might handpick their favourite candidates in the county level.

Additional reporting by Emilio Muriithi