Wundanyi Kanu office taken over by URP

By Renson Mnyamwezi

 Kanu branch office in Wundanyi town has been converted into a United Republican Party (URP) office.

 The office which has been decorated with URP colours and symbols, was recently opened by the party leader and presidential hopeful William Ruto.

 Mr Ruto who addressed a series of rallies in Taita-Taveta County also opened offices in Taveta, Mwatate and Voi constituencies to coordinate party affairs.

 How the offices changed hands remains a mystery, according to diehard supporters and officials of the former ruling party.

 However, the branch chairman Leonard Mwayongo said they have temporarily given the offices to URP to coordinate its affairs.

 “Mr Ruto has been in Kanu for many years and there is no problem in assisting him with an office to coordinate his party affairs in the area,” he said in an interview with The County Weekly.

 Sources said URP has paid some money to the Kanu officials as part of the deal to take over the offices. URP parliamentary aspirant in Wundanyi constituency Simon Mwachia said the deal was arrived at after settling outstanding water and electricity bills Kanu had accumulated over the years.

 Kanu national vice chairman Major (Rtd) Marsden Madoka was however shocked to learn of the latest development.

 “We will kick Mr Ruto and his team out of our offices as the property belongs to Kanu. URP cannot just collude with few disgruntled Kanu officials to take over the offices without the authority of the party headquarters,” he quipped.

 Speaking to The County Weekly from Nairobi, Mr Madoka said he will inform the party headquarters for necessary action to be taken.

At one time Taita-Taveta County Council threatened to repossess a plot belonging to Kanu over an outstanding land rates amounting to Sh600,000. The plot hosts Wundanyi Kanu office built in 1970s.

 The threats forced Kanu national office to pay Sh100,000 being the first installment of the outstanding land rates.

 A letter signed by Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat, reads in part: “We’re making efforts to have the matter settled fully and therefore requesting for the full amount owed to you by our branch addressed to Kanu headquarters.”

 The council officials expressed concern why Kanu leaders were collecting monthly rent and failing to settle outstanding dues.

 Furious Madoka was categorical that the plot and buildings in question belongs to Kanu.