Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta finally dumped Kanu yesterday when he said he would not defend his seat during Saturday's elections. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Uhuru said that while he not seek a post in the party, he was still in the race for the presidency. Kanu sponsored Uhuru in 2002. This time round, Uhuru is expected to once again run for the presidency on a yet to be known party. A fortnight ago, he said he would at the end of this announce which party would sponsor him. It has been widely speculated that Uhuru will run on a National Alliance Party of Kenya ticket associated with veteran politician and businessman Nginyo Kariuki.
Uhuru said his decision not to defend his seat in Kanu had been informed by the provisions of the constitution and the Political Parties Act which require that no public servant is allowed to hold a political office. “As a result, and in compliance with the new Constitution and the Political Parties Act that no State officer can hold a party position, I will, therefore, not seek any position in Kanu. It is thus incumbent upon the Secretary-General, as mandated by the NEC meeting at Naivasha last December, to ensure that Kenya’s mother party complies,” said Uhuru.
Uhuru has in recent weeks come under from deputy vice chairman Gideon Moi and a faction associated with him for his continued failure to convene a national delegates conference during which election of new officials are scheduled to be held. Uhuru has also been accused of attempting to 'kill' the party. Last week, former party chairman, retired President expressed concern that the lack of a 'clear, sincere and responsible leadership' in the party would lead to its deregistration. Moi said the possibility of this happening was causing 'genuine party members great distress.' KANU was formed in 1960 and ruled Kenya until 2002.
Moi served as the party's absolute chairman until he retired in 2002 after which Uhuru took over the mantle in 2005 when he beat off a challenge by former Keiyo MP Nicholas Biwott who left to form his own New Vision Party. Among the conditions for registration set out in the Political Parties Act is the requirement that the applying party submit a list of officials elected as per the party constitution. Kanu last held national elections in 2005 even though its constitution states that grassroots and national elections must be held in every five years. Presently the party has no legally appointed officials.
Yesterday, Uhuru accused the party’s secretary-general Nick Salat of frustrating his efforts to have the party comply with the requirements of the Political Parties Act. Uhuru said he had on several occasions personally financed several meetings of the national executive committee and the parliamentary group meets including the last one which was held in Naivasha last December. He said these meetings were aimed at sorting out outstanding party issues include cases which Salat had filed against Uhuru. One of the cases had stopped Uhuru from recruiting new party members.
He said he had twice called the national delegates conference but had called them off because of 'sideshows' instigated by Salat whom he accused of being an obstacle in the party's process of complying with the Act. “Furthermore, these individuals should desist from sideshows and the wild allegations they are now making in this regard and instead put their efforts towards full compliance of Kanu. It is this insincerity and double speak that has been our greatest challenge in building Kanu. “Such behaviour is inconsistent with a party that seeks to form the next Government. It is, therefore, my hope that the gathering called by the Secretary General this Saturday will tackle these issues,” said Uhuru.
Last night Salat denied Uhuru’s allegations and insisted that the court case he had filed had been overtaken by events. “Uhuru has been the stumbling block and now that he has decided to let go of the party, we will move fast to comply and fill all vacant positions. Salat said tomorrow’s national delegates conference was being financed by party wellwishers and friends who did not want the party to 'die.' “We do not have a specific budget but we will ensure that delegates who arrive will have something to use as transport back home,” he said.
When asked if former President Moi was among those funding the conference Salat was non-committal and said: “Well Moi is a life member of Kanu and he just like other members, he wants to see Kanu comply with the Act." Salat said that while Moi's presence at the NDC which will be held at the Kasarani Sports Complex 'will be a blessing' he could not confirm whether or not Moi would attend. He said he was aware that some of the party officials, specifically branch chairmen, were being offered hefty sums to boycott the NDC. "Those who refuse are being warned they will suffer unspecified consequences," Salat said.
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