Kanu rides URP storm to get share of Rift pie

While major political parties were fighting to consolidate votes for the presidency, former ruling party Kanu was on a different mission— to debunk the myth that it was wallowing in political oblivion.

Results of the Monday elections in some parts of Rift Valley proved that a re-energised party could still stake a claim in the political arena.

The sterling performance, especially in West Pokot and Baringo counties, against a strong wave of the United Republican Party (URP) has handed the independence party a new lease of life.

But it was in West Pokot county where the party surprised many when its candidates clinched the governorship, senatorial and parliamentary seats and eight county representative slots.

In Baringo county, Kanu chairman Gideon Moi rose from near political oblivion to clinch the senatorial seat as Professor Hellen Sambili bagged the Mogotio parliamentary post.

In West Pokot, Prof John Lonyangapuo, a former PS , took the senate seat with ease after thrashing Information Minister Samuel Poghisio and assistant Minister Julius Murgor.

In the gubernatorial race, Mr Simon Kachapin beat four other contenders to emerge the winner, thus placing the future of the county in the hands of people who rode the fierce URP storm.

Prof Lonyangapuo said turning around the economy of the resource-rich county needed people with demonstrated leadership experience.

He said Kanu’s fortunes were occasioned by the fallout that followed messy ODM, URP and TNA party primaries.

The party’s fortunes started crumbling after the retirement of former President Daniel arap Moi and the handover of leadership mantle to his chosen heir Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mr Kenyatta, the president elect, lost the 2002 General Election to Narc’s Mwai Kibaki before joining forces with PNU in 2007 to support Mr Kibaki’s re-election

-         Sunday nation