KANU youth wing disowns Ruto-Gideon pact, says it betrays party values

The KANU National Youth Congress has distanced itself from the union between the party chairman, Gideon Moi, and President William Ruto, leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Addressing the media on Tuesday at the KANU headquarters in Nairobi, the youth, led by their national chair, Shanice Matara, said they were not consulted before or after the two leaders met last week, which led to Moi dropping out of the Baringo senatorial race in the forthcoming by-elections.

Following the Thursday meeting, KANU Secretary-General George Wainaina announced that the party will not field a candidate in the county, leaving the field for UDA candidate Kiprono Chemitei and five other candidates.

The youth congress has condemned the move, saying it contradicts the party’s core values and ideology.

It said it “fully dissociates” from the alleged pact, insisting that KANU’s principles are rooted in accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law, values it says the current administration has failed to uphold.

“Our values as the youth and the party at large are founded on promotion of accountability and transparency, respect for human rights, and the promotion of the rule of law,” the statement read.

“No partnership or coalition agreement whatsoever can save a regime that goes against constitutional governance.”

The group criticized what it described as the government’s “consistent abductions, enforced disappearances, human rights violations, corruption, and total disregard of the rule of law,” saying these actions are incompatible with KANU’s ideology.

It also dismissed the government’s efforts to consolidate political support under the banner of a “broad-based government,” calling it “a fallacy and the kicks of a dying horse.”