Lonyangapuo to face ‘absent’ deputy for West Pokot seat

The stage is set for a bruising political duel between West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo and his deputy Nicholas Atundonyang.

Dr Atundonyang, who lives  in the US, has fallen out with his boss and is said to be plotting to unseat the governor on a Kanu ticket.

“I understand he has acquired a lot of money to come back and fight me. Let him come. I’m up to the task,” Prof Lonyangapuo said yesterday.

 The governor, first in the country to be elected on a Kanu ticket has hit out at his deputy for teaming up with his opponents to fight him. 

 Lonyangapuo says that Atundonyang has absconded his duties while drawing a salary from the public coffers. 

Underdevelopment

 Atundonyang who works in Texas, US, as a neuro-surgeon has clashed with his boss over his absence from the county since he travelled to America in 2018.

 The deputy governor has however defended himself from the absentee complaints arguing he has done a lot including linking the devolved unit with donors abroad.

 “This has seen many health facilities equipped with modern medical equipment and medicine which has never been witnessed in any other county in Kenya,” Atundonyang told People Daily. 

 Atudonyang claims Lonyangapuo has failed to deliver on the promises he made to the residents and is now engaging in blame game.

 “I will come back home soon. I’ve advised him a lot on many issues affecting the county but he does not listen  to anybody,” said Atundonyang.

 Lonyangapuo has also fallen out with senator Samuel Poghisio and West Pokot County Assembly Speaker Catherine Mukenyang.

-Wycliffe Kipsang