West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin has criticized plans by KANU to field a presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections. This comes a few days after the party announced its plans to field candidates in all elective positions in the country.
Kachapin, who ditched KANU and joined Jubilee party, called on the party leadership to stop wasting time and instead join the Jubilee bandwagon.
He cited that the independence party has no one capable of vying for the top seat in the country.
Mr Kachapin urged KANU chairman Gideon Moi to come out clearly and declare the party’s stand on whether it is supporting Jubilee or the opposition.
“Gideon Moi himself cannot even get a single MP in his Baringo backyard. He has no support even from his home turf how can he vie for the top seat in the country. The party has no chance of getting a presidential candidate at the moment,” he said.
He criticized party officials for failing to show leadership within the party citing that the party promised to give its political direction in two weeks time.
He accused the KANU chairman of being misled by a few leaders who have lost direction.
“Let him make up his mind and declare his stand. He failed to unite us when we were party members,” said Kachapin, “We are seeing the party secretary general Nick Salat in opposition meetings.”
He faulted KANU leaders for selling party property and misusing resources.
“One of the reasons which made me leave the party was that they were selling party property. We shall follow it up because the resources belong to Kenyans,” he said.
Kachapin urged the opposition to shun divisive politics during their campaigns, adding that it can lead to chaos ahead of the August elections.
“They should not prepare the minds of Kenyans towards a violence theme by claiming that elections will be stolen. As a country, we witnessed skirmishes in 2007/2008 and we don’t want a repeat of what happened,” Kachapin said.
Kachapin urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to take action against hate speech mongers and inciters.
Governor Kachapin exuded confidence that he will retain his seat, asking his competitor West Pokot senator Prof John Lonyangapuo, who has declared his aspiration of vying for the gubernatorial seat, to prepare for a bruising battle in the August polls.
“I welcome my brother who has declared his interest in my seat. He should tell residents what he has done for them, and am ready for him,” he said.
