JAP seeking to create party dictatorship, Munya claims

Chairman of the Council of Governors Peter Munya (right) flanked by Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma(left) during a press conference in which the governors agrees to set aside budgets for county health services delivery in a bid to upgrade most of the county hospitals to referral hospitals. ths was on 09/10/2015 in a Nairobi hotel. Photo by WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD

Governor Peter Munya has said the formation of the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) will lead to party dictatorship in its strongholds.

Speaking while launching two dispensaries at KK Elama and Kairuru villages in Igembe North, Munya claimed a clique of senior politicians wanted to create party machinery that will end the career of their rivals. "They want a colossus they will control from Nairobi, having a say on who will have the party ticket from the national level to the grassroots. This is nothing short of the dictatorship that we had during the one-party rule," claimed the Council of Governors (COG) chairman.

The governor vowed to sail on with the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) delegates conference he has called in Meru town on Saturday even after it was disowned by party leader Kiraitu Murungi, who is his former close ally turned a bitter rival.

"The notion that a party can be owned and controlled by an individual is legally and morally wrong and the delegates will decide their next course of action," said Munya.

But he acknowledged APK's registration documents are in the hands of his rivals and that they will have a final say on what happens to the party.

"If they insist on collapsing the party into JAP, we shall let them keep their baby and we shall forge our own," said Munya in the clearest indication that he is planning to launch a party.

He said the strongest indication of how dictatorial the proposed JAP will turn out was the endorsement at the weekend of Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire for the Embu governor position.

Ms Mbarire was endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki, Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti and Chuka Igamba-Ngombe MP Muthomi Njuki.

"It speaks volumes that the same people who are in the forefront of promoting JAP are the same people endorsing others for a position, where the incumbent is still in office," said Munya.

Munya rebuffed claims that he rode through the back of Kiraitu to win the Meru gubernatorial position, saying he fought for the position after serving as Tigania East MP and assistant minister for 10 years.

"If you are in the company of your friend and he successfully courts the most beautiful girl, you don't sound intelligent by bragging that you are the one who helped him win the heart of the girl," said Munya.

Early this year, The Jubilee Parliamentary Group endorsed and approved the formation of JAP to strengthen the political movement and consolidate its unity. However, the merger of the parties to form JAP has been facing resistance from some leaders within the ranks of the governing coalition.

And President Uhuru Kenyatta has signaled his determination to contest for a second term in the 2017 polls under JAP.