Senator Moi: Dashing to join JAP is not good for rift valley residents

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has warned residents of Rift Valley region against dashing to join the newly established Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP), saying the electorates were not properly informed prior to its formation and would not go down well with the region's political aspirations.

He said before telling the people to move to JAP, those concerned should have given a chance dialogue and meaningful consultation among the major stakeholders in the region.

"Whoever is lecturing our people and telling them they must join JAP is dreaming. These people are not like sheep to be pushed and pulled in all directions. Proper and visionary dialogue must take place and resident's views considered," he said.

Speaking at a political rally at Kipsaraman, Baringo County, Kanu National Chairman said time for leaders to understand that the country is driven through understanding and not chest thumping had come.

The senator who is also senate committee chairman on energy told the residents to remain firm and avoid getting confused by the mushrooming political parties.

"From here (Baringo), I am ready to visit all other parts of these country and talk to our citizens. I need to consult our friends especially the pastoral communities on the next course of action," said Gideon.

On the expected El Nino rains, the senator challenged leaders from Rift Valley to take in consideration the plight of hundreds of people evicted by the Government about six years ago from Mau forest water tower and are still in the camps.

He said it was sad for the Government to allege to have raised billions for rebuilding after the expected destruction of property  by the rains with nothing on the plate for the Mau victims.

"Leaders from Rift Valley have forgotten those they represent. God willing, we are planning to visit the camps and see what can be done ahead of the rains," he said.

While appreciating weekends tour to the region by the Deputy President William Ruto, to compensate victims of the 2007/08 post-election violence, Gideon asked the Government not to forget the victims of cattle rustling also.

He was accompanied by Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat, Mogotio MP Prof Hellen Sambili, Emurua Dikir MP Johana Ngeno among other Kanu leaders.

Mr Salat told the residents though he was not a member of URP, he was not ready to support establishment of JAP as the next political vehicle and advised them to troop back to the former ruling party.

Ng'eno who was elected to the eleventh parliament through Kenya National Congress, alleged URP legislators who had signed the expected impeachment motion against Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru were threatened and intimidated by powerful forces within the party.

The MP said several of them had to recall their signatures after calls and threatening text messages were circulated last week and accused senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet), Charles Keter (Kericho) and Stephen Sang (Nandi) for allegedly playing the pivotal role in issuing the threats.

He said MPs from the vote rich Rift Valley should stop acting as robots for the Jubilee administration and instead play their roles of oversight, representation and legislation.

"Why are MPs being remote controlled, threatened because of Waiguru when everybody kept silence when Felix Kosgei, Davis Chirchir, Charity Ngilu and others were being fired?" he asked.

The MP also asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider holding talks with all those mentioned by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria over the fixing saga with an objective to end the ongoing Criminal cases facing the deputy President and Journalist Joshua Arap Sang at the International Criminal Court.

Moi said though they support anti-ICC prayers, former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Gladys Shollei, Chirchir, Kosgei should not be forgotten in the struggle for justice.

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