By The Weekly Vision
Mt Elgon Member of Parliament (MP) Fred Kapondi on Sunday stopped the launching of a football tournament that had been planned by his rivals. The lawmaker claims that the hyped event was political, adding that he was not involved neither were other political leaders in Mt Elgon. The event had been fully funded by flamboyant businessman and Bungoma-based politician Joseph Lendrix Waswa. Mr Waswa had also invited leaders from different parts of the country to attend the function with Embakasi MP Babu Owino as the guest of honour.
Others whom the businessman had invited included; Trans- Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang’, Matulo Ward MCA in Bungoma County Stephen Simiyu, Kapkateny Wrd MCA Joan Korong, Kaptama MCA Francis Chemion, Elgon MCA George Kwemoi, Maeni Ward MCA Idd Chamawi, Cheptais MCA Martin Cheseto, Misikhu Ward MCA Millie Masungo, Bungoma County Ford Kenya Nominated MCA Maureen Katila, Sitikho MCA Grace Sundukwa and Mr Kapondi’s closest political rival Allan Chemayiek.
The launch was to take place at Kipsis primary school in Mt. Elgon Constituency on Sunday, addressing the press on Sunday, MP Kapondi dismissed the planned launch as pure politics, noting that he won’t such happen in his constituency. “Politics ended last year in August when we elected leaders in various positions. The hyped event by people who want to come here and start accusing me and the President, won’t happen,” he said. When the MP arrived at the Kipsis football pitch he requested the youths who had arrived for the football match to vacate the area. “I have politely requested those who had arranged the public address system and those who were playing to leave here because this thing won’t proceed,” he said. The UDA MP argues that the event was intended to intimidate him as area leader.
“If they really wanted to help Mt Elgon and Bungoma youths they could have included me in the plans but because they ignored and intimidated me let them carry their things and go,” the MP added. The second-term MP alleges that even Kipsis primary school headteacher and area MCA were not informed about the event.
“People should not bring jokes here, I was duly elected by my people to work for them, those branding themselves as ‘peoples MP are wasting time’,” he said. Mr Kapondi affirmed that he is an elected MP and he will organize events to nurture youth talents in the region.
On his part, Mr Waswa told Journalists that he had only invited his friends to grace the function, adding that similar tournaments had been held in other constituencies; it was Mt Elgon’s turn to showcase their talent. “I have done such in other constituencies in Bungoma but I did not see it. It is so unfortunate,” Waswa said. He said that the launch must happen affirming that he will involve area leaders to support it. Waswa trashed Mr Kapondi saying that the event was not political.
