I am not anybody's project, says Dr Kilemi Mwiria

Meru Governor aspirant Kilemi Mwiria address Maendeleo Chap Chap delegates in Meru. [Photo Peter Muthomi]

Maendeleo Chap Chap Governor aspirant Kilemi Mwiria has trashed allegations that he is a project meant to scuttle Governor Peter Munya's re-election.

Dr Mwiria, who lost narrowly to Munya in the 2013 General Election, said he was his own man and was confident of trouncing his opponents in the August 8 polls.

Speaking in Mikinduri, Tigania East, on Monday, the former presidential advisor on education said this year's contest might be won by whoever gets up to 50,000 votes, due to the number of contestants.

"There are six candidates who want to be governor this year. In 2013, I got 180,000 votes. If I can retain the votes, then I will win," the former Tigania West MP said.

Munya, the Party of National Unity leader and governor candidate, beat Mwiria by a paltry 3,000 votes in 2013. At the time, Senator Kiraitu Murungi and Munya worked together in the defunct Alliance Party of Kenya.

Mwiria's wife, Sarah, said her husband was not a project as claimed by a number of politicians allied to Munya.

It is thought that with two governor candidates coming from Tigania, Kiraitu, who is the Jubilee Party candidate, has an improved chance of becoming governor.

"There are those who claim we want to split the Tigania vote. Tigania East and Tigania West have a combined 150,000 votes. There is no way we can get the other 600,000 votes if we do not get the Igembe and Imenti votes," said Sarah.

Mwiria said he would solve the water problem in the area if he was elected.

"I will have a borehole rig in all wards to provide enough water for the people," he said. [Phares Mutembei]