Uhuru now told to relinquish Kanu post

The internal rebellion within Kanu have risen a notch higher after a senior official formally wrote to party chairman Uhuru Kenyatta seeking the latter's resignation from the helm of the party of independence.

Party secretary-general Nick Salat wants Mr Kenyatta to relinquish his chairmanship post in line with the new constitution that prohibits a public officer from holding a party position.

Mr Salat made the revelations at a fundraiser in Aisaik mixed secondary school in Bomet district. He however refrained from elaborating on the matter.

Kanu is scheduled to hold its grassroots and national elections in March 2011, an exercise expected to bring to the fore the rivalry between Mr Kenyatta and his estranged party officials mainly from Rift Valley province. The rebellious faction is centered around party vice chairman Gideon Moi and Nick Salat.

Speaking at the event Mr Salat called on the Rift Valley bloc, and others who were dissatisfied with ODM leadership, to decamp and rejoin the party instead of forming new outfits.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto, who also attended the event, said that ODM supporters from the region would be decamping to UDM ahead of the next general elections.

“We overwhelmingly supported Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the last general elections. He has turned his back on us and the only remedy remaining is to rock the movement and decamp,” he said.

Background

1978: Moi takes over Kanu leadership upon Mzee Kenyatta’s death

2001: Kanu merges with the National Development Party (NDP) and Raila Odinga replaces long serving Joseph Kamotho as the party’s Secretary General.

2002: Raila leads a mass walkout from Kanu, paving the way for a new crop of officials led by Uhuru Kenyatta, Julius Sunkuli, William Ruto, Dalmas Otieno and Henry Kosgey.

2003: Moi steps down as Kanu leader and is replaced by Mr Kenyatta.

2007: William Ruto, Henry Kosgey and Dalmas Otieno walk out of Kanu and are replaced by Nick Salat, Gedion Moi and Justin Muturi.