Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Engineer Alex Tolgos has promised to continue campaigning for the Azimio la Umoja patron Raila Odinga in the North Rift region despite the region's political affiliations.
Speaking on Friday, May 20, at a burial ceremony of recently nominated UDA Aspirant Mark Bowen Sawachan in Trans Nzoia, the defiant governor vowed to spread Raila's gospel in a region largely perceived as Deputy President William Ruto's stronghold.
He urged residents to accommodate all political factions and their leaders saying they should not get mad at him for speaking about Azimio politics in Ruto's backyard and being Raila's point-man in the region.
This was after a section of the congregants began murmuring and disapproving of his line of politics.
"Tukue na amani na tuvumiliane, vile mnajua sehemu hii hi stronghold ya UDA lakini kwa baba wa Roma ni stronghold yetu ya Azimio. Msinikasirikie kwa sababu nimesema ukweli (Let's tolerate each other and have peace. This region is Ruto's stronghold the same way Moses Wetangula's backyard is Azimio la Umoja's stronghold. Do not get angry because that is the truth)," stated the defiant Tolgos.
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He urged North Rift women led by Uasin Gishu county Woman Rep Gladys Sholei to consider supporting Raila Odinga, saying one of their own, Martha Karua had been elevated to be Raila's running mate.
While indirectly throwing jabs at Moses Wetangula, who was present at the burial, and Musalia Mudavadi, Tolgos said Raila had not set a 70% target for him in the Rift Valley and that whatever few votes he will get, the ODM chief will appreciate.
"I will join hands with other Azimio supporters from Elgeyo Marakwet to go door-to-door campaigning for our leader Raila Odinga to become the president. In the same way you are making noises here, there are also other regions where such noises are made when people talk about UDA, so that won't deter me from speaking," added Tolgos.
"Raila will appreciate the few votes we will get him here. I urge you to allow those who want to switch camps to do so safely so that we can move forward together" added Tolgos.
He urged Independent candidates from the region who felt shortchanged by UDA nominations to consider crossing over to Azimio should Ruto's camp insist on the six-piece suit in August. He said
According to Tolgos, the Jubilee party will be issuing nomination papers up to 29th of May and such aspirants should consider joining Uhuru's party. He however, assured the county's senator Kipchumba Murkomen to get ready for a tough battle in August, adding that he is still fully in the race to become the next county senator.
Among the leaders present at the function included Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Elgeyo Marakwet County DG Wisley Rotich, Senator Moses Wetangula, and Gladys Sholei among others.
