By Rugendo Antony
Worth Noting:
- Confirming an unseen upcoming gubernatorial contestant, Mr Kiraitu dared his challengers to face him in the battle for the County’s top most seat in the August elections.
- “There are people planning to come and challenge me. We are ready for them. Let them come,” Kiraitu said.
- Kiraitu called on Munya and his team to join him in his battle towards retaining the gubernatorial seat.
- Governor Kiraitu however, kept the Country guessing if was hinting on making an unexpected move to Azimio La Umoja where Munya is already a member.
Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi has hinted at forging a political pact with his political archrival Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya. This has left political pundits guessing that he could be headed to Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja.
Rivalry between the two sprouted when Kiraitu dethroned Munya as the Meru governor in the 2017 elections.
The Meru governor startled his supporters when for the first time since the 2017 election he publicly lauded Munya’s efforts in Agriculture docket.
“There is no cabinet secretary who has fought the locust menace like Peter Munya. He has really helped Meru County to fight this invasion,” Kiraitu was recorded saying.
Kiraitu’s statement comes a day after reports alleging that Kenya Kwanza could line up Meru Senator Mithika Linturi to unseat the Meru Governor.
The Meru Governor was speaking on Wednesday during the issuance of Emergency Locust Response Project (ELRP) cheque to community driven development committee (CDDCs) in Meru town.
Confirming an unseen upcoming gubernatorial contestant, Mr Kiraitu dared his challengers to face him in the battle for the County’s top most seat in the August elections.
“There are people planning to come and challenge me. We are ready for them. Let them come,” Kiraitu said.
Kiraitu called on Munya and his team to join him in his battle towards retaining the gubernatorial seat.
Governor Kiraitu however, kept the Country guessing if was hinting on making an unexpected move to Azimio La Umoja where Munya is already a member.
According to him, his rivalry with Munya was only spurred by their quest for the gubernatorial seat.
“Munya and I have been fighting for this beautiful lady called Meru County. To win this lady over I had to speak badly of him to have the favor on my side but Munya has now gone for another lady and we do not have reasons to fight anymore,” Kiraitu said in a parabolic way.
He noted of a resurrected bromance between him and Munya saying that they have been calling each other lately since Munya’s decision not to resign.
Kiraitu lauded Munya decision of not resigning saying this granted him a direct pass to the gubernatorial seat ahead of 2022 elections.
“I want to thank Munya because he decided not to resign when others were resigning which means he left the County to me. My prayer is that Munya gets a top job in the national government,” Kiraitu said.
According to Kiraitu, working with Munya will advantage Meru County in getting national government resources.
The Meru governor said he will declare his decision on his preferred presidential candidate in one month’s time.
“People have been complaining that it has taken a lot of time to announce my preferred presidential candidate. I never go with emotions in politics. I am still making calculations and no one should pressure me. I will declare the results of our research after a month. Some will love our decision and some will hate it,” Kiraitu said.
Kiraitu said he will back a presidential candidate who will support the devolved units through assigning more resources and funds to the Counties.
His statement has left residents and supporters guessing the direction that the Meru governor’s Devolution Empowerment Party will take between Raila’s Azimio and Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza side.
A unity pact with Munya would mean that Kiraitu will have to join Azimio La Umoja which is one of Munya’s conditions towards a gubernatorial aspirant that he will back.
Pundits have argued that if Kenya Kwanza fields Linturi for gubernatorial seat the Meru governor will have no other choice rather than joining Azimio in a bid to get Munya’s support for him to retain the seat.
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ODM Leader Raila Odinga oversees the handshake between Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi and Agriculture CS Peter Munya PHOTO/COURTESY
