Tiaty MP Asman Kamama has dismissed claims that he has ditched Jubilee Party as propaganda by his opponents.
Kamama said his documents at Jubilee were intact and that he was not planning to leave President Uhuru Kenyatta's party.
"I am firmly rooted in Jubilee and I am very confident that I will win the August election and serve my people for a fourth term," he said.
He spoke to the Star on Wednesday following claims on social media that he had moved to PNU or the National Alliance for Change
after being linked to Baringo banditry attacks.
It had been said that Kamama lost prospects of getting the Jubilee ticket after people associated with him were arrested over the killing of politicians Pepe Kitambaa (Tiaty MP hopeful) and Kibet
Cheretei
(Loyamorok MCA).
Opposition leader Raila Odinga claimed the two were killed as they would have made strong candidates in this year's election.
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It had also been said that Kamama's people had turned against him.
The legislator also refuted claims that he was panicking over the entry of Reverend Simon Kiuta who has been termed the people's choice and has
presented his nomination papers to Jubilee Party.
"I know Kiuta as an opponent who went missing immediately after the 2007 election upon garnering 1,500 votes and taking position four," said Kamama.
He noted Kiuta lost the seat to him at that time and that the heavy loss will repeat itself should he be on the ballot.
"This is someone who vanished to God knows where after the election. He has resurfaced thinking he will convince the people to let him take over," he said.
Reached for comment, Kiuta said his presentation of nomination papers was not informed by ill intentions for Kamama.
"I am a worthy competitor like any other Kenyan seeking an elective position in any part of this country. I cannot be cowed by intimidation by any of my competitors. What I know is that everyone has his own supporters," he said.
He added that he will face the MP at the nominations and that the winner will have every right to vie against Baringo Speaker William Kamket (Kanu) in the August election.
Kamama has denied being behind Baringo banditry attacks but the pressure is piling for him to resign from his position as
National Assembly Security
committee
chairman
to pave way for investigations.
He refused to resign and distanced himself from the violence.
“I cannot quit because of false claims by my opponents. I am ready to support this probe and to investigated because I know I have not done anything wrong,” Kamama said.
The MP added that he does not support banditry and said his committee plays an oversight role and only advances the decisions of the government not individuals.