KANU youth congress rejects Ruto-Gideon Moi pact

A section of youth has distanced itself from reports of a political partnership between the party’s national chairman, Gideon Moi, and President William Ruto.

The youth under the Kanu Youth Congress banner declared that such a move goes against the founding principles and values of the independence party.

In a statement, the group said it “fully dissociates” from the alleged Kanu-UDA pact, arguing that the government must first demonstrate accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law before seeking political alliances.

“Our values as the youth and as a party are founded on accountability, transparency, respect for human rights, and promotion of the rule of law,” reads the statement signed by Kanu Youth Congress vice chairperson Kimani Mbugua, vice secretary Atemo Mwangu Lucy, treasurer Zamzam Gurow, and vice treasurer Isaac Mwashinga.

The group said no political agreement could sanitise what they described as a government “riddled with human rights violations, corruption, and disregard for constitutional order.”

They accused the current administration of overseeing “consistent abductions, enforced disappearances, and killings of government critics.”

The youth congress urged the government to focus on resolving key challenges facing the country, including the health crisis, education reforms, unemployment, and industrial growth, rather than “consolidating the political class under the guise of a broad-based government.”

“We need the system to work. We need social services revived. We need fair employment opportunities for jobless youths and industrialization prioritized over taxation,” the statement further said.

In a rallying call to young Kenyans, the group urged the youth to register as voters and take an active role in reshaping the country’s leadership.

“To the youthful population, we urge you to get out in large numbers and register as voters. Let our online, physical, and digital activism translate into a voice of change and progressive leadership,” the statement concluded.

The statement comes in the wake of the truce that saw Moi drop his senatorial ambition in favor of the UDA candidate.

Moi had announced his bid to run for the Baringo senatorial seat in the November 27 by-election.

In a meeting held on Friday at Moi’s Kabarak residence, Kanu announced it would support the Kenya Kwanza administration.

"If there is any Kanu member here who doesn’t know where we are heading, you'd better know that we have gone, hakuna kitu imebaki, sisi tumeenda,” the party’s Secretary General, George Wainaina, said during the meeting.

President William Ruto on Friday revealed that he personally reached out to Gideon Moi to have him drop his senatorial bid.

Ruto said he deliberately sought him out in a bid to unite the country and elevate Kenya’s development agenda.

 President Ruto said the move to bring Moi and Kanu on board was driven by a greater national calling, not personal interest.