Kanu to go it alone in 2012 polls, says Gideon

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Kanu National Vice-Chairman Gideon Moi has assured supporters in Coast Province that the party was vibrant and ready to take up leadership in 2012.

The former Baringo Central MP dismissed claims the party was dead, saying it was repositioning itself.

"There is nothing wrong with Kanu. Supporters should remain steadfast as efforts are in progress to rejuvenate the party," he said.

Addressing a rally in Mwatate town in Taita, Gideon dismissed the presidential system of government, saying it had outlived its usefulness.

Vice-Chairman and former Mwatate MP Marsden Madoka said Kanu would soon change its constitution to suit interests of supporters.

He said a committee appointed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) would vet civic and parliamentary candidates.

"The amendment of party constitution will ensure clean and respected candidates are elected as councillors and MPs," Mr Madoka said.

Pertinent matters

A NEC member, Abdulrahman Bafadhil, asked party Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta to convene a meeting to discuss pertinent issues in the former ruling party.

"We want Uhuru to convene an urgent NEC meeting so that we can discuss pertinent issues in the party. The biggest problem facing Kanu is dictatorial leadership because power is vested in the chairman," Mr Bafadhil said.

NEC officials, among them former minister Paul Sang and secretary-general Nick Salat accompanied Gideon. The officials rooted for the parliamentary system of government.

Gideon said Kanu would field its presidential candidate in 2012 without entering a coalition with any political party.

"We will not join any alliance. We will stand alone and we are optimistic that we will form the next government," he added. He also said Kanu will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

Gideon praised the recent Budget speech and backed the proposal that Cabinet ministers should surrender fuel guzzlers.

Madoka asked Kenyans to assess the records of leaders seeking elective positions and added a new Constitution would resolve problems facing Kenyans.

Political bickering

He said Kenyans should not expect anything tangible from the Grand Coalition, saying its officials were always engaged in political bickering.

Mr Salat urged Kenyans and leaders to reject a plan to split some provinces, saying it was likely to divide them along tribal lines.

"There is an ill motive behind splitting provinces. We in Rift Valley have totally rejected the move and we are asking our counterparts in Coast to do the same," Salat added.

He decried price increases of essential commodities, saying many Kenyans were dying of hunger.

Salat urged youths in Coast to refrain from drug abuse, saying it was detrimental to development.

On the next grassroots polls to be held next year, Salat said only registered party members would be allowed to participate.

He noted that Coast was once a Kanu zone, but regretted that its supporters were carried away by euphoria in the last General Election.