DP woos Meru Governor Peter Munya amid fall-outs in the race for power

From left: Democratic Party NEC members secretary general Jacob Haji, national chairman Esau Kioni, and organising secretary Dr Njagi Kumantha and party officials speak to the press after a meeting at Thuci Lodge in Embu County on April 23, 2016. [Photo:JOSEPH MUCHIRI/STANDARD]

Democratic Party (DP) is seeking to reap from expected fall-outs as parties contemplate dissolving to join the proposed Jubilee Party.

The party, founded by former President Mwai Kibaki in 1991, is already wooing politicians in the Mt Kenya East region.

Leaders being associated with DP include Meru Governor Peter Munya, his deputy Raphael Muriungi and Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa.

Munya confirmed he had been approached by DP, the former ruling Party of National Unity and another little known outfit; the United Democratic Alliance.

“I am looking for a vehicle with a secure political establishment with national structures that fit in with my 2022 ambitions to take me to the ballot next year,” said Munya through his Communications Director Simon Kobia.

However, Ragwa, who has differed with local Jubilee leaders, including three MPs and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, insists that he is in Jubilee to stay. “How well the party manages to do that will have a major bearing on its political strength especially in Mt Kenya East,” he said.

Former Tharaka MP Francis Kagwima has already declared intention to oust Ragwa through DP next year.

DP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has been selling the outfit as having ‘a rich history and well entrenched roots’ in Jubilee, saying it has previously demonstrated liberal attitude when it comes to elections for seats outside the presidency.

Confident of winning

NEC Chairman Esau Kioni, Secretary General Jacob Haji and Organising Secretary Dr Njagi Kumantha late last month, met in Embu and declared they would not dissolve the party to join Jubilee Party.

Speaking in Embu when they met officials and aspirants eyeing the party ticket from Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties, Kioni said DP will field candidates for other positions except the presidency where it will support the incumbent.

During the meeting, Kagwima and Dr Kumantha were presented as aspirants for Tharaka-Nithi and Embu gubernatorial races. “DP understands the route to elective positions better having been at it before and we are confident of our candidates winning,” said Kioni.

Kioni, former Security Advisor to Kibaki said that incumbent MPs in Central and Mt Kenya regions are happy that the party had declined overtures to dissolve alongside other Jubilee affiliates.

“In Central region, some politicians, including incumbents are holding their breath and waiting to see how the Jubilee merger and subsequent events will shape up. You could say they are waiting in the air ready to jump and we shall offer them comfortable shelter if and when they come,” he added.

Kioni observed that President Uhuru Kenyatta a fortnight ago assented to the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill 2016, which allows elected leaders to retain their seats once their sponsoring parties were dissolved.

“The new Act gives politicians freedom to declare parties of their interest without fearing the likely legal repercussions,” said Kioni.

The Act gives politicians the freedom to either remain an independent or to join another political outfit without losing their seats.

Kioni would not confirm or deny whether they were in talks with Munya, and only said that a political party’s primary role is to recruit members, ‘especially politically influential ones’.

“We can only declare people to be ours once they officially sign membership certificates,” he added.

The party’s Constitution requires a minimum one-year membership and mandatory approvals from the National Executive Council and National Governing Council for recruits to get party leadership positions.

Former Cabinet Minister Joseph Munyao remains the Party Leader, however, the posts of patron-formerly held by the late former Cabinet Minister Njenga Karume and two positions of Deputy Party Leader are still vacant.