Kiraitu Murungi, Peter Munya rivalry goes to strongholds

Meru Governor Peter Munya, when he arrived at Menwe Secondary School, near Senator Kiraitu's home, on Saturday. The two have spared no efforts in trying to outdo each other, going to great lengths to test their popularity in each others' strongholds.  (PHOTO: PETER MUTHOMI/ STANDARD)

There appears to be no let up in the fight to control the county leadership by Governor Peter Munya and Senator Kiraitu Murungi.

The two have spared no efforts in trying to outdo each other, going to great lengths to test their popularity in each others' strongholds.

The past weekend was a hive of activity as the two adversaries tested their popularity in the places they feel their opponent is stronger.

First was Mr Munya's entry into Mr Kiraitu's Imenti backyard on Saturday where he was received heroically. The senator returned the favour by visiting the governor's Tigania stronghold.

On Sunday, Kiraitu won the backing of MCAs from Munya's Nyambene stronghold as he strategised how to beat him in the 2017 election.

At a fundraiser for St Paul's Catholic Church in Abogeta East, Kiraitu was accompanied by several MCAs from Nyambene who were previously in Munya's camp.

At the function, the MCAs committed to support the senator for the governor's position, citing alleged lack of prudent use of resources.

The MCAs; Dorosene Kagwiria, Ruth Kananu, Henry Mworia, and Elizabeth Kanini said they had found Munya's administration wanting.

They heaped praise on Kiraitu, citing his development record in South Imenti where he served as MP. They promised to support him so he could replicate it in the entire county.

"It hurts to see our funds being misappropriated. We are going to support Kiraitu for governor and Mithika Linturi (Igembe South MP) as senator," said Ms Kananu.

Ms Kagwiria said they were now in support of 'Team Kikali', an acronym for Kiraitu, Florence Kajuju (Woman rep) and Linturi Mithika because it was the group that would make Meru economically and politically great.

Deputy Speaker Gideon Kimathi said the assembly had passed a motion compelling the executive to pay the National Hospital Insurance Fund charges for the poor elderly persons and boda boda operators, but nothing had been done.

Kiraitu said his race for the county top seat was unstoppable.

Kikali axis

"I thank South Imenti for electing me as their MP and entire Meru for electing me as senator. Now we in Kikali have said the governor will come from South Imenti, the senator from Igembe and the woman rep and deputy governor from Tigania," Kiraitu added.

He said he was opposed to forming another political party because the residents were in Jubilee.

"We said we want to make Meru great, with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto. I used to be the 'Bus' (Alliance Party of Kenya) driver but now I have been promoted to drive a train. I have not abandoned the dream to make Meru great, I have just found another way to do that by working with Uhuruto," he said.

On Munya's plan to run for presidency in 2022, Kiraitu said: "I can bet with you that Munya will not run for President in 2022. He wants to be seen as a big person running for president but it is the governor seat he wants to retain."

But speaking yesterday, Munya and several MCAs insisted he is more popular than Kiraitu, and would trounce him even in his (Kiraitu's) backyard.

"It is envy driving him. I hear he says I will not run for Presidency, but I understand because maybe age is not on his side so he cannot run. You don't become President by not running, even Abraham Lincoln ran for the Presidency seven times," Munya said.

He continued: "I have 49 MCAs supporting me. He only has one or two nominated ones from Nyambene. I will be opening a maternity at his Murungurune village soon, and I enjoy massive support there. I am confident of beating him because of my projects."

Munya said Kiraitu tried to sabotage the third devolution conference because of the credit he was to earn from its success.

"Kiraitu told the Senate and MPs not to come to Meru, yet his hotel (Nkubu Heritage) got the tender to supply beer at the event," he said.