The Kenya Union Party (KUP), a party linked to former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo staged a spirited fight against the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), winning two out of the four parliamentary seats on Monday, August 29.
KUP candidates in Kacheliba and Pokot South constituencies overcame cutthroat competition from Deputy President William Ruto's UDA to win against their opponents.
In Kacheliba constituency, KUP’s Titus Lotee won the election while David Pkosing was declared the winner in the Pokot South poll to retain his seat.
Lonyangapuo’s Party
Immediate former governor Prof John Lonyangapuo joined the party when he was unveiled as the outfit’s party leader in 2021. The former governor, in conjunction with Pokot South MP-elect- David Pkosing termed it as the representative of pastoralist communities.
At its inception, the party declared that it was exploring like-minded parties and coalitions to partner with. KUP would later become one of the 23 signatory parties under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition - the vehicle that Raila Odinga used for his presidential bid.
Prior to the formation of KUP, Lonyangapuo was a Kenya Afrian National Union- KANU diehard. He used the party’s ticket in his successful bids for West Pokot senatorial and gubernatorial seats in 2013 and 2017 respectively.
In the August 9, 2022 elections, Lonyangapuo ran for the county’s gubernatorial seat on a KUP ticket in a bid to lead West Pokot for a second term. However, he was trounced by former governor Simon Kachapin who won the West Pokot gubernatorial election on a UDA ticket.
A seemingly jubilant Lonyangapuo accompanied David Pkosing at the Pokot South constituency tallying centre as the party celebrated its first elected MPs.
Speaking during the celebrations of Pkosing's win, Lonyangapuo lauded the performance of KUP adding that it was a statement that the county is capable of making independent decisions.
He further stated that the party will consider fielding a presidential candidate in the fullness of time.
“Despite the Kenya Kwanza brigade camping in West Pokot county day and night, we have proved to them that we are independent, and we can make our own decision,” remarked Lonyangapuo.
"We will continue standing with our party and in future, a presidential candidate will come from the party."
