Kiyiapi gets boost after PNU declares support

By Leonard Korir

Party of National Unity (PNU) chairman Gideon Konchellah has declared he will support Restore and Build Kenya (RBK) party presidential aspirant James ole Kiyiapi.

Mr Konchellah was responding to a call from the former PS who had urged PNU to forge an alliance with his party in the elections.

He made the announcement on Wednesday at his Kilgoris constituency during the burial of former Uasin Gishu ward councillor, Mzee Tampushi Noonkerieti.

Konchellah said PNU was in the process of forging an alliance with like-minded political parties and he has no objection offering his support to Kiyiapi whom he described as a diligent servant.

The Kilgoris MP’s move appears to severe PNU links with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s The National Alliance Party (TNA).

Konchellah expressed disappointment with PNU coalition partners who fielded candidates in the just concluded Kajiado North by-elections despite an earlier agreement against the same.

Speaking at the same function, Kiyiapi appealed to Narok County residents to give him 100 per cent support in the March 4 General Election.

“This being my home county, I am kindly seeking for your full support because I strongly believe that my victory in this battle will be a victory to us all,” he said.

The RBK flag bearer said Kenya should be ready for a president from one of the minority and marginalised communities as such a leader has wide experience on the challenges of mwananchi.

“Kenyans should break away from the culture and tradition of electing presidents from the ‘big tribes’ and embrace those from small communities,” said Kiyiapi.

Meanwhile, Grand National Union (GNU) Party Leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has dismissed claims he has fallen out with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kiunjuri instead accused some leaders in Uhuru’s The National Alliance (TNA) party of using intimidation and divisive tactics to create a wedge between the DPM and other leaders.

Kiunjuri made the remarks when he addressed journalists at Mt Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki yesterday.