Embattled Kenya African National Union (KANU) secretary general, Nick Salat, clapped back at his boss Gideon Moi demanding his resignation as chairman of the independence party.
Salat, suspended on Thursday, December 15, intimated that only a small faction within the party agitated for his removal.
In what could turn out to be a vicious battle of allies turned foes, Salat vowed to take the battle to Gideon Moi, whom he claims is only serving as interim chairman.
“Gideon Moi needs to step aside and allow for party elections. We have all been interim since 2012, so where does the chair get the power to suspend me?
"The current composition of the National Executive Committee (NEC) is also illegitimate and cannot purport to suspend me,” the KANU stalwart argued.
He further accused the party chairman of mismanaging the party, arguing that the party was run as a one-man show.
"Look at the number of elected members we have after the August polls, KANU is no longer a progressive party, and the chair has to resign,” Salat declared.
Salat cautioned that he would contest his suspension in court, arguing that he loyally served KANU throughout his political life.
“We have to go for party elections to have new leadership. It is only a small clique of ‘yes people’ who are still with him (Moi). A majority of us want him to leave the party,” he remarked.
KANU suspended its secretary general, Nick Salat, accusing him of violating the party’s Constitution.
Through a notice dated Thursday, December 15, the party chairman revealed that the suspension followed a decision by the National Executive Council (NEC), which received several complaints against Salat.
“You (Salat) are hereby suspended forthwith from carrying out and/or performing your duties as the Party's Secretary-General pending the determination of the disciplinary proceedings,” read the statement.
The former Bomet East MP's fate now lies with the party's disciplinary committee, which was ordered to summon him to defend himself and finally submit a report to KANU within 30 days.
