Kanu leaders in West Pokot County have thrown their weight behind President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid in the August elections as uncertainty persists about the direction the party will take ahead of the polls.
The new declaration of political support for President Kenyatta is expected to lead to further confusion within the independence party, given that some Kanu officials, led by secretary-general Nick Salat, have declared their support for the new opposition coalition, Nasa.
Speaking in Kacheliba, Ortum and Nasukuta during rallies to popularize their party, West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo and former Cabinet minister Samuel Poghisio said they will fully support the President in the next elections.
Senator Lonyangapuo accused Mr Salat of being a lone ranger out to divide the party
Prof Lonyangapuo said he had talked with party chairman Gideon Moi, who agreed to support the Head of State.
Prof Lonyangapuo, however, said the party will field its own candidates for the other seats.
Mr Poghisio, who is eyeing the West Pokot senatorial seat, reiterated that the independence party entered an agreement with the ruling Jubilee coalition after the last elections and that the memorandum of understanding is still intact.
Two weeks ago, top party leaders gave Mr Moi 14 days to decide on whom the party will back in the coming elections.
