Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi will be the party's presidential candidate in 2022, Secretary General Nick Salat has said, noting this is "the one time" he can be fielded.
Salat said this in a phone interview on Wednesday, noting the Baringo Senator's interest in the top seat "is real and no longer hearsay".
"Any doubting Thomas should be advised to take it as it is," he said.
Salat said Gideon, son of second President Daniel arap Moi, is up to the task, much like the other politicians he will face.
On March 27, Gideon welcomed partnerships aimed at his takeover in 2022.
“Everybody is my friend so there is no harm if anyone decides to approach me for visionary talks meant to take over leadership and drive this country forward,” he said.
But he asked his supporters to remain patient, saying he will soon declare his stand.
Read more:
Salat further
said Kanu fully supports the enactment of a new Constitution through a national referendum ahead of that general election.
He, however, noted that the move should not be misconstrued as aimed at denying people powers or political positions.
"It's not a preserve of an individual, tribe or political party but rather a document that is set to unify all Kenyans now and in the future," he said.
“Come that time, it is Kenyans who will decide who will be their fifth President, under a new Constitution that they are longing to have before the election."
Salat rebuked a section of Kalenjin leaders who said last Saturday that the seat can even be occupied by a hustler, not just the sons of former Presidents Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Moi.
The leaders want Deputy President William Ruto to take over from Uhuru who is serving his second and final term.
They want Ruto owing to his poor background and reputation as a hustler.
They gave their views during the homecoming party for Bureti MP Japheth Mutai at his Kapkatet residence in Kericho county.
Salat noted the President and DP posts are respectable so individuals who hold them must be of high integrity, "not hustlers or people of questionable character".
“It's wrong for anyone to suggest that the positions can be occupied by hustlers," he said.
The Kanu official further spoke of the "ambiguous and ridiculous' claim by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen that Gideon denied him and other Kalenjin leaders the chance to visit Moi at his Kabarak home in Nakuru county.
Salat said Murkomen and his team were ashamed as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga visited the former President moments after he returned from Israel where he went for treatment.
"Raila outwitted
Murkomen and his group by moving very fast to wish Moi well," he said.
“Raila beat them hands down the moment he visited the old Moi. Murkomen and his group should not give the lame excuse that Gideon denied them entry to see Moi. They had all the time to visit Moi before Raila set foot there."
Read: