Two factions are fighting over the leadership of Kanu’s leadership in Kisumu.
This comes barely a week after a group led by Kisumu Kanu chairman Dan Machar (leading one faction) opened a new office in the county.
But a faction led by Jack Nyambega said the Kisumu branch office has legitimate and bonafide officials recognised by the Kanu headquarters. Others are Milton Obote (secretary) and Peter Omulo (treasurer).
Carlos Ouma, who reportedly acts for the party, said Nyambega, Obote, and Omulo as the bona fide officials.
“I am shocked by those who claimed to be officials. I am only aware of Nyambega, Obote and Omulo as the real officials. They are the people who I have been dealing with at the party office,” Ouma said.
Nyambega said those purporting to have opened the new office were out to tarnish the party’s reputation, adding that Kanu has officials in Nyanza from the sublocation to the region level.
“These are cartels and we will deal with them accordingly,” Nyambega said.
He gave an ultimatum to those who allegedly stole the party’s property that they will face the law.
“Comprehensive investigations have evidently laid bare their unspeakable ill intentions while camouflaging behind the ever-fresh Kanu- the Independence party,” Obote said.
Obote termed them dubious and self-opinionated agents of the party’s competitors purporting to be Kanu Kisumu branch officials.
“We want to categorically confirm and reaffirm that Kanu Kisumu branch leadership is intact and in good working relations with its political affiliates and enshrined in party’s constitution,” Obote said.
The office, the secretary said, is located at the Kanu Complex opposite Kisumu Bus Park.
Obote said they welcomed those willing to join the party to rally behind Baringo Senator and party chairman Gideon Moi.
He announced that Moi will tour the Nyanza region to popularise the party in “the next few months”. He will also launch the party’s recruitment in the region.
Machar said the creation of the office seeks to woo supporters to join the party and strengthen its support base for Moi.
Machar said the office located next to Nyamasaria on the Kisumu-Nairobi Road will serve party supporters in Kisumu.