KANU is dead sentiments anger West Pokot leaders

West Pokot leaders elected on the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) party ticket have threatened to withdraw from the Jubilee Coalition following alleged remarks by a section of the United Republican Party (URP) that the party (KANU) was dead.

Led by West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo, the leaders accused URP – under the leadership of Deputy President William Ruto – of referring to their party as a dead one.

Lonyangapuo, who was addressing a presser, called on KANU members not to join URP or the newly formed Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) saying that the party (KANU) will lose its independence and strength.

He further dismissed claims that the party was a hindrance to URP expansion in the larger Rift Valley region adding that in other regions there are many parties and no leader has complained.

The Senator further questioned the move by the Deputy President to move across the Rift Valley claiming KANU was dead.

The leaders challenged other parties to improve their manifestos and review membership plans to attract more members rather than using primitive ways to advance their agenda.

They said KANU is an independent party thus should not be used to gain unnecessary popularity.

Lonyagapuo said that the party was gaining momentum in the region because of its manifesto and urged other parties to prepare for a tough contest in the 2017 polls.

Collins Shitiabayi contributed to this report