Governor Lonyangapuo Missing? Family Asked to Make a Statement

  • By Denis Mwangi on 16 January 2021 - 8:07 am
    West Pokot Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete in Kiambu During a Consultative Devolution meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
    West Pokot Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete in Kiambu During a Consultative Devolution meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
    Simon Kiragu

  • UPDATE - January 16, 2021. 12pm: West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo resurfaced after concerns were raised about his whereabouts. 

    Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen shared photos of their meeting which took place earlier in the day. 

    "This morning I called on Governor John Lonyang'apuo in his Nairobi office to discuss matters of peace and development between our two counties.

    "We agreed on intensified engagement and collaboration among leaders in the entire North Rift region to ensure that intra and inter-county conflicts are eliminated and mutual growth and development is realized. God bless our counties and God bless our country," Murkomen posted. 

    Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and West Pokot Governor John Lonyagapuo
    Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and West Pokot Governor John Lonyagapuo
    File

    The family of West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has been asked to make a statement about his health and whereabouts after concerns were raised. 

    Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio told journalists on Friday, January 15 that being the county chief, residents should be kept abreast of his status. 

    “The family should communicate. This is a public figure and the county has closed down,” the West Pokot Senator stated.  

    The Governor was headed for burial ceremony for the late the Paul Lepore at Olenkipejus village in Melili, Narok County when the incident occurred. The deceased was the father to Julius ole Sasai who works as the Finance County Executive Committee (CEC) member in Tunai’s Cabinet. Governor Tunai and the three other occupants of the helicopter escaped unhurt but were rushed to a nearby health facility for check up.
    National Assembly Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio speaking during a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Parliament leaders at State House on October 17, 2020
    File

    He added that the three-week absence of the governor had left his constituents with a sense of power vacuum since his deputy was also not in the county. 

    Deputy Governor Nicholas Atudonyang who is a neurosurgeon is said to live in the US state of Texas.

    Lonyangapuo was last seen in public on December 17, 2020. The day before he had attended a function in Tapach Ward where he distributed dairy cows to boost milk production in the county. 

    The following day he was seen attending a meeting with elders in Kanyarkwa and Sarmach areas. 

    Later that evening, he joined Frontier Counties Development Council at a farewell dinner for outgoing UN Resident Coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador in Nairobi. 

    However West Pokot Chief of Staff Elijah Kapelo stated that the governor was on leave and was expected back in the office the coming week. 

    “The governor went for Christmas holiday and some bit of annual leave. He was on the radio on December 31, 2020, and he addressed the residents,” he explained. 

    He added that county operations had not been grounded since the Cabinet executives were working.

    “When someone is on leave, it does not mean he is not working. The Cabinet is there and things are running as usual. As we speak, I am in the office and the Cabinet is in a meeting...the governor is currently at our Nairobi liaison office, he is okay,” Kapelo assured. 

    Governor Lonyangapuo (in black Jacket) shares a light moment with President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019.
    Governor Lonyangapuo (in black Jacket) shares a light moment with President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019.
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