West Pokot Deputy Governor Defends Decision to Work Remotely from the US for Four Years

West Pokot Deputy Governor Dr. Nicholas Atudonyang has defended his decision to work from the United States in the last four years.

Atudonyang, who left for the US shortly after his election in 2017, recently returned to the country and declared his bid for the county’s gubernatorial seat in the August 9th elections.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday, the deputy governor explained it was more profitable for the county for him to work from abroad, saying he did not receive a salary during the period, and that the funds were used to hire more workers.

“I did not receive any salary, it was just deemed profitable for the people of West Pokot that I serve them in the manner that I did,” Dr. Atudonyang said.

He claims the move also saved the county hundreds of millions that would have been spent to run his office, including to fuel his cars, hire support staff, and other expenditures. 

 “Did you know that the salary of a deputy governor can employ at least 30 people?” he posed.

Dr. Atudonyang, who has been working as a neurosurgeon in Texas, dismissed claims that his actions amounted to a dereliction of duty, stating that he was fully committed to his work as a deputy governor, albeit remotely. 

“I never abdicated duty, as long as you are still working and making meaningful work for the electorate is enough. Did the people realize the sacrifice I was making as their deputy governor?” he added.

He further claims that his actions led to the increment of the CDF fund to Sh400 million, the highest of any county. 

On Saturday, Atudonyang was crowned as a new Pokot leader at Amaya shrines in Baringo, where he declared his bid for the West Pokot gubernatorial seat on a Kanu ticket. He will be seeking to oust Governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo, who will be defending his seat under the Kenya United Party (KUP), where he is the party leader.

Governor Lonyangapuo previously defended Atudonyang’s prolonged absence when he was summoned by the Senate and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The governor defended himself for allowing his deputy to work and live in the US, saying Atudonyang was helping the county in sourcing for health equipment.

“After the equipment arrived, he prolonged his stay, so I told him now we can no longer have any reason to explain to anybody in West Pokot why you should continue being paid. Then he said his salary should be terminated,” he told a Senate committee in 2019.

In 2020, Lunyangapuo accused Dr. Atudonyang of working with some political leaders from the county to undermine his administration.