West Pokot Governor John Longanyapuo is under pressure to join Deputy President William Ruto's camp but he's not ready to dump KANU, Senator Samuel Poghisio has said.
Speaking on Saturday at Gideon Moi's Ziwa home, Poghisio said Prof Longanyapuo is a smart politician who can never forget what retired President Daniel Moi did for him.
He said the KANU governor is under pressure to join Tangatanga but he will still remain in his party and support President Uhuru Kenyatta's agenda.
“Prof Lonyangapuo is a smart politician. He is a Kanu member and will not quit the party. He will not forget what Moi and Kanu did for him. He is under pressure to join Tanga Tanga but he will remain in the party,” Poghisio said.
Last month, DP William Ruto visited West Pokot County and promised to work with area leaders. Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok asked Longanyapuo to join DP Ruto's camp.
“There is no time to campaign for a referendum before 2022 elections and if it will be there we will wait out. I urge West Pokot governor John Lonyangapuo to support our deputy president to clinch the presidential seat in 2022,” he said.
“I will look at the leadership structure of an individual. Come 2022 I will rally West Pokot voters to a person who has initiated projects in our county," Longanyapuo said on his part.
Over the weekend, Pokot leaders promised to work closely with Senator Gideon Moi, who is keen to dethrone DP William Ruto as Rift Valley kingpin.