Ahead of 2012 elections, Political aspirants in Bungoma get opportunity to talk to the public

Written by Daniel Saenyi

Wafula Wakoli one of the youthful leaders in Bungoma.
The new constitution is slowly taking root in Kenya’s political system as Bungoma political aspirants are given a public forum to air out their policies to the public ahead of the 2012 general elections.

Courtesy of Rehema Kenya Enterprise Development, the public event held at Bungoma Posta grounds synonymous with political rallies, witnessed a shocking shortage of audience as many people passed it off as a political stunt by the aspirants to congregate votes.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Rehema group Mr. Sammy Chemwei, the debate gives the leaders a chance to sell themselves on their leadership abilities for the public to choose.

“This debate is about leadership and not leaders so I don’t want to here any politics only your policies for the county,” Said Mr., Chemwei.

The aspirants who attended the event were, Wafula Wakoli, Kellan Wabwoba, Walinywa Mukhamule, Fredrick Kiliswa and Cosmas Mutai.

Each aspirant seemed to want to gunner votes from specific people as women aspirants went for women needs policies, young aspirants for youth development policies and so did the old go for sustaining the old.

Some of the policies were to incorporate women in development strategies in the county, and as it is, women have limited access to information, there will be grass root informants going around sensitizing women about everything as proposed by Mrs. Wabwoba.

Similarly, some leaders played their education capabilities card; some seemed to put forward dreams that seemed far to wild to achieve in five years.

The small crowds that gathered at the Posta Grounds for the public debate with Bungoma County leaders aspiring to have seats come 2012.

According to Mr. Mukhamule, he wants to make Bungoma an industrial county and a tourist attraction site by building five five star hotels in the area.

Some leaders where caught straight in their act, as Fredrick Kiliswa pledged to help IDPs in the county when he had no idea how many IDPs were in the county.

As much as the Churche is in the fore front of rejecting any political concern, they were represented and fervent to know what the aspirants had in store for them.

Barthlomew Kapchanga, a priest, wanted to know how Wafula Wakoli would help churches as he claimed to be religious. They got their role as opinion leaders that would steer the leaders in decision making.

As Bungoma is a county with many ethnic tribes, unity is a core value that the county bases its survival on. Mr. Cosmas Mutai promised to promote the unity even beyond the borders and made it clear that he will use his proficiency to achieve that. He also promised not be avaricious as he will only serve the county for one term and will be ready to relinquish the post to next leader.