Kanu not seeking political 'marriage' now, says Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat

Kanu chairman who is also Baringo Senator Gideon Moi (second right) with Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat (right), Kuria East MP Shadrack Manga and West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo (left) during the party’s leaders retreat at Lake Bogoria Spa and Resort. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD]

Kanu is determined to stamp its dominance in the expansive Rift Valley and in the country at large ahead of the 2017 polls.

Speaking Friday at Lake Bogoria SPA Resort in Baringo County, Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat announced that the old political party is not interested in joining any political coalition ahead of the next General election.

Salat instead assured Kanu supporters across the country that the party was re-branding and recruiting more members in preparations to position itself nationally.

"As party's top leadership we assure our members that time has come for us to re-brand and market ourselves," said Salat.

The party members are holding a three-day retreat in Bogoria and former President Daniel Moi is expected to address the leaders Saturday and give his position on whether the former ruling party should join JAP or not.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi who is also Kanu's National chairman, is attending the retreat which began on Thursday.

Among those present included West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo, Mogotio MP Hellen Sambili, nominated senator Zipporah Kitony and Kanu National organising secretary Abdulrahaman Bafadhil.

However, Salat said Kanu will not close its doors to interested political partners of goodwill.

The meeting was also attended by MCAs across the county who appealed to the party to ensure it is revived and elections conducted at the grassroots to strengthen the party.

Speaker after speaker urged the party's National Executive Committee to weigh careful on the issue of JAP, saying the issue was tricky and party members across the country must be involved.

"Negotiations before 2017 General Election must be exercised with a lot of care, politics is a business and we must make profit at all costs as a party," said Jack Kawa, a Bungoma County MCA.

Among other issues discussed during the close door sessions, include challenges and opportunities for 2017 General Election, Jubilee Alliance Party's proposal and focus on party structures and policy.