There was confusion as to the stance of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party on their choice for running mate after Senator Gideon Moi's name popped up in the discussion on the hopeful deputy president,
This was after the Nation reported that the party, through Secretary General Nick Salat, had nominated Moi as the party’s preferred Azimio deputy presidential candidate.
The development only a few hours after the Baringo Senator earlier endorsed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the position.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, May 5, KANU maintained that it was still backing Kalonzo and it had not changed its position on the matter.
Kanu Secretary Political Affairs Fred Okango told Kenyans.co.ke that the party's position remained unchanged and they were going to back Kalonzo for the post.
"The KANU Party National Chairperson Moi Gideon who by the provisions of Article 7 of the party constitution is the head of the Party and in that capacity oversees the overall management and running of the party and exercises all powers and perform all duties conferred upon him by the party has today endorsed Kalozno Musyoka as the suitable and capable running mate to Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga under Azimio One Kenya. Any other contrary communication from the party to that is not only null but void," Okango stated.
Salat, who is reported to have communicated the letter pushing for Gideon's candidature, remained unreachable at the time of publishing this story.
It is not the first time that Salat's name has featured in controversy on matters to do with the party's relations with Azimio.
The Secretary General had earlier in the year urged Gideon to abandon Kalonzo in the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) - accusing the former Vice President of being indecisive.
Party officials later denounced the comments by Salat as a personal opinion that was not reflective of the independence party.
Gideon Moi in a letter addressed to the Azimio la Umoja Selection Panel stated that Kalonzo is the most qualified person for the position given his background in governance.
"The Kenya National African Union (KANU) hereby proposes and submits the name of H.E Hon Stephen Kalonzo as its preferred candidate for the position of Deputy President in the forthcoming General Election.
"It is our considered opinion and strongly believes that H.E Hon Stephen Kalonzo fits the bill and is the most suitable individual to deputize H.E Right Hon Raila Amolo Odinga," read the statement in part.
Kalonzo has maintained that he will not present himself for an interview with the selection panel asserting that he was the most qualified individual to occupy the position.
The former Vice President's allies had argued that Kalonzo was being mistreated despite the fact that his party filled up the last half of the coalition's name - the Azimio One Kenya Alliance coalition.
