Rebel MPs to miss Wiper party 2017 ticket

Chaos at a rally addressed by Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at Ngomeni Trading Centre, Kitui County last Friday. [Photo: Paul Mutua]

Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said it will be difficult for Mwingi North MP John Munuve, to defend his seat on the party's ticket in the 2017 poll.

Mr Kalonzo said he was saddened by Mr Munuve's conduct, accusing him of disrupting a political rally the former vice president had convened at Ngomeni Trading Centre.

Kalonzo said it is now up to the party disciplinary committee to discuss and punish the rebellious MP for "open disrespect and misbehaviour".

"It is now obvious that Munuve has demonstrated that he is a one-time legislator. You understand it well that I paved way for his election and he succeeded me in 2013. He has fast forgotten that, and now it is up to him," Kalonzo said.

The Wiper leader was caught up in chaos at the rally where Munuve was roughed up and ejected out by irate supporters who accused him of being a Jubilee mole within the party.

During the violent confrontation, the MP's bodyguard was forced to shoot in the air to scare the charged supporters who had attacked the MP with blows and kicks, with some throwing chairs and other missiles at him as he fled.

The public accused Munuve of being disrespectful to Kalonzo and the Wiper leadership by working with the rival Jubilee coalition to wreck the party from within.

As the MP fled, he termed the incident unfair and warned of serious repercussions for those who planned and executed his whipping.

Trouble at the rally started when some youths allied to the MP shouted that Munuve should not be condemned for his association with anyone as it was his democratic right.

This prompted Kalonzo to reprimand the MP, accusing him of organising the rowdy youths to disrupt the rally.

"I am reliably informed that Munuve met the county deputy commissioner and the police this morning to organise ways and means to disrupt this rally. I want to tell the MP that such attempts are irresponsible," the former vice president fumed.

Kalonzo said he was tired of rebels, and time to kick them out was nigh.