Moi to decide KANU’s fate in two weeks

Independent party, Kenya African National Union (KANU) Chairman, Gideon Moi, was on Thursday, January 19 given two weeks to decide whether the party will join the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) or support re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Jubilee Party.

Speaking after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi, Mr Moi said KANU’s top decision making organ has also given him the mandate to decide whether the party will field a presidential candidate in the August 8 polls.

The party also indicated that the sentiments of KANU Secretary General, Nick Salat, during the opposition unity meeting at Bomas of Kenya on January 12 were not those of its leadership but his personal.

The meeting comes after sharp divisions in the independence party over Salat’s sentiments that KANU would join NASA with West Pokot Senator, John Lonyangapuo, and nominated Senator, Zipporah Kittony, issuing conflicting sentiments.

KANU officials in Kericho County were quick to appeal to Mr Moi to convene a National Delegates’ Conference saying that Salat’s sentiments at the Bomas of Kenya should only be ratified by the party’s top decision making organ.

In his defence, Salat dismissed claims by Senators Lonyangapuo and Kittony saying that they are just Senators and cannot speak on behalf of the party.

He went on to accuse the two of flouting the party rules by talking to the media about party matters, instead of handling them internally.

Speaking to Citizen Digital on phone last Thursday, Salat was quick to rubbish allegations that party chairman Gideon Moi had distanced himself from the NASA partnership, saying the letter making rounds on social media was fake. He pointed out that the document did not have the party letterhead or the chairman’s signature.

Salat advised KANU members who are opposed to his presence at the NASA meeting to submit their complaints to the party in writing as per their Constitution.

Salat emphasized that as the Secretary General, he is mandated to explore the best options for the party ahead of August polls.

Elsewhere, CORD leader, Raila Odinga, has urged the residents to rally their support behind ODM saying the opposition will unite under NASA to send the Jubilee government packing.

Speaking during a tour to Nyamira, Kisii and Migori Counties to inspect the ongoing mass voter registration exercise, Odinga said this time round he promised to ensure Jubilee government does not rig the upcoming elections.