Ruto Appoints Former Governor Who Dumped Azimio To Govt Job
Ruto appointed Lonyangapuo to serve for three years, revoking the former appointment of David Chumo...
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto has appointed Kenya Union Party (KUP) party leader and former West Pokot Governor, John Lonyangapuo to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency.
In a Gazette Notice dated Friday, March 10, Ruto appointed Lonyangapuo to serve for three years, revoking the former appointment of David Chumo.
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, appoint Prof John Lonyagapuo to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, with effect from March 10,” read the notice in part.
Other appointments made by the President include Francis Gichaba as the chairperson of the Kenya Tourism Board, while Prof. Raphael Munuve will chair the Board of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority.
Stanley Khainga will chair the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, Rispa Wapkhulu the Board of Directors of the Kenya Literature Bureau, Ali Menza Mbogo to chair the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority Board and at the National Environmental Management Authority, Emilio Mugo will serve as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
All the chairpersons will serve for a period of three years.
Speaking on Thursday, March 2 during a meeting, Lonyangapuo told the Azimio la Umoja coalition led by Raila Odinga to forget about their political marriage as it severed all links with the opposition coalition.
The former county boss added that the contract between KUP and Azimio came to an end after the opposition started “engaging in things that might plunge the country into chaos.”
“Our contract with Azimio ended after seeing them going in a different direction, creating tension in the country. People are sleeping hungry, there is drought and there is insecurity and we don’t want sideshows,” stated Prof Lonyangapuo.
He criticised the anti-Kenya Kwanza government rallies and demonstrations, urging Kenyans to keep off them, further accusing the former Prime Minister of using them to force President William Ruto into a handshake deal.
“Azimio coalition represents the greatest threat to democracy, the rule of law, and national cohesion in our nation’s recent history. Raila should accept and move on. Kenya is one and Kenyans are Kenya. The first priority should be Kenya and its people,” said Prof Lonyangapuo.
“We ended the elections peacefully. It adds no value, it is meaningless, and it is foolish to demonstrate now. Let people go to their farms because there is cheap fertilizer and seeds. Keep quiet and wait for five years, it is a short period."
Lonyangapuo further wondered where the rivalry between Ruto and Raila emerged from, urging the Azimio coalition to accept defeat and let the ruling government deliver on its pre-election promises to Kenyans.
“We don’t know where the enmity between Ruto and Raila came from. If we were defeated, let's accept it and move on. Even though I was to move to court to challenge the election of (Simon) Kachapin, I gave up and I’m now uniting Kenyans,” he said.
Raila Odinga and West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo during Azimio la Umoja rally in Ortum in April 2022. /FILE
