Western Kenya Jubilee voters feel neglected

Political battle for the 2017 General Election has begun in earnest with political realignment witnessed across the country.

Western Kenya is yet again setting the agenda for the politics evident with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Ababu Namwamba and Funyula MP Paul Otwoma quitting their positions and sending shivers to the Cord Coalition.

With the New Ford Kenya (NFK) having dissolved its party and joining Jubilee, the former Jubilee Jubilants in Western have been left in tatters and feel neglected by Jubilee Government.

In 2013 General Election, Jubilee garnered 66,185 votes in Western region with Mt. Elgon Sub-County posting 29,286 of the votes with the rest from other sub-counties.

However, the community has no tangible development by the Jubilee administration including appointments that has wrecked serious discussion over the future of politics in the region.

“Contributing close to a half of the Western votes and no single appointee in serious position in the Government, even a PS or Diplomat?” posed a senior County politician who sought anonymity for political reasons.

He added that the Uhuruto-led government has neglected the people of Mt. Elgon which he said they need them most in the coming general election.

Recently at a forum in Kitale, the Supreme Council of Kalenjin Elders Chairman Major John Seii termed the statistics by the Deputy Governor Hillary Chongwony of Bungoma as “embarrassing” while referring to the Presidential general election in 2013.

This comes ahead of the President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto’s Visit in the region later this month to launch development projects which Mt. Elgon residents are eagerly waiting for what the President has for them.

Even though the leaders are supporting the regime come 2017, their support has more of dots to connect than before that Uhuruto must address before the polls.

The President is expected to relaunch the stalled Kapsokwony-Kopsiro-Namwela road which the residents says will unlock business opportunities and expand economy of the people but wary when it will be complete.