The repeat presidential election has renewed scramble for votes in swing counties.
Among the swing voters are the pastoralists of West Pokot and Baringo.
Leaders from those areas have threatened not to support President Kenyatta unless the Jubilee government suspends the ongoing military operation to flush out bandits in Baringo and Laikipia counties.
Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto says residents of Tiaty Sub-county have been subjected to untold suffering in the hands of security officers undertaking the operation.
He said the officers should be investigated and culprits prosecuted.
In a meeting at Tangulbei, Baringo County, the leaders asked the Government to call off the operation and release hundreds of youth arrested to allow them to vote in the repeat poll.
MPs William Kamket (Tiaty), David Pkosing (Pokot South), Peter Lochakapong (Sigor) and Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba) and Baringo County Assembly Deputy Speaker Ameja Zelemoi said the Pokot community was still divided on who to back between the National Super Alliance (NASA) and Jubilee.
“The people of Tiaty will vote for the Opposition just as they did in the August elections since they were neglected and sidelined by the Government. However, they are ready to vote for Jubilee on condition that the Government halts the operation and orders the removal of all armoured vehicles in the region,” Kamket said.
The residents also want compensation from the Government for deaths and livestock lost during the security operation.
Lomunokol and West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio faulted the Government for not specifying the period the operation would take.
“The Government imposed the operation because they wanted to see the results, which include death of people and livestock without any long-term solution. It’s high time the Government left it to us as West Pokot and Baringo leaders to bring sanity,” Lomunokol said.
Baringo Woman Rep Gladwell Cheruiyot and her West Pokot counterpart Lilian Chepchokai said they were in solidarity with other leaders in seeking peace.
