It’s a blow to Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula as Kamarati community in Mt. Elgon Bungoma County have withdrawn their weight and backed UDP Senatorial aspirant Reverend Herman Kasili to become the Senator.
Speaking at Kasili’s residence in Webuye on Thursday during the endorsement, Kamarati clan elders led by Erick Chepkorom said that Mt. Elgon has been neglected for a long time adding that its high time Bungoma get a new Senator who will help push an agenda and support Mt. Elgon benefits from devolution.
Chepkorom noted that Senator Wetang’ula has been in the Senatorial position for the two terms and it’s high time to back someone else to replace him.
“We don’t want to recycle leaders in the same position even if you elect someone for 20 years and he/she cannot deliver then it is better we drop him and give someone else who can deliver,” Chepkorom said.
However, he said that Reverend Herman Kasili is a renowned man of God in the western region and his work can be seen.
“We did not just wake up in the morning and decided to back Kasili as our incoming Senator, we have consulted widely and settled to support him as our best option,” he said, adding that they are optimistic of Kasili clinching the Senate seat.
He added that the Kamarati community doesn’t lie and they will support his bid to replace Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetang’ula.
Chepkorom urged politicians to stop dishing handouts to the youths and leave them without jobs saying that instead they should support them start businesses.
“The main problem facing many politicians which needs to be addressed is dishing out handouts to youths, politicians should fund to help youths start to depend on themselves,” he said.
He further urged Reverend Kasili to organize a rally with the Azimio la Umoja Presidential Flag bearer Raila Odinga to the region and endorse him officially.
“As we speak today Mt. Elgon is an Azimio bedroom, I ask our Senate aspirant Herman Kasili to organize a mega rally with ‘Baba’ so that he can endorse Kasili in Mt. Elgon,” he said.
He asked Bungoma electorates to back aspirants who come on the ground and ask for votes arguing that Senator Wetang’ula rarely campaigns but he is voted for.
Rev. Herman Kasili told the media that he has done much while he was working at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce where he supported less unfortunate people in the community to get foodstuffs in Bungoma County and its environs.
Kasili added that all Bishops in Bungoma County have rallied behind his bid saying that they wanted him to vie in 2013 and 2017 but he shelved his bid to allow Senator Wetang’ula complete his term as the Senator.
He said that all Bishops have rallied behind his bid to ensure that he topples Senator Moses Wetang’ula in the August polls.
He added that he has traversed the entire county and residents have agreed to back his bid.
IAN BYRON