Munya, Linturi to lead opposition campaigns in Meru

Agriculture CS Hon Peter Munya during press briefing on unga prices and registration of millers around the country at Kilimo House, Nairobi on 22nd July 2022. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Former Cabinet Secretaries Peter Munya and Mithika Linturi are set to lead the Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP) campaigns in Meru, even as both eye the county's governorship in the 2027 general election.

Although Munya is expected to contest on a Party of National Unity (PNU) ticket, he has declared his support for DCP, a political outfit recently launched by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

During the DCP launch, Gachagua signalled his intention to ring-fence the Mt Kenya region, ensuring that all elected leaders from the area in 2027 are DCP candidates.

Munya, however, maintained that his primary focus remains reclaiming the Meru governor's seat-one he lost to Kiraitu Murungi in the 2017 elections-under the PNU banner.

"We want Meru to have bargaining power," said Munya, a former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary and Tigania East MP.

Linturi, also a former Agriculture CS, expressed his willingness to work with Munya to consolidate support for the coalition seeking to block President William Ruto's re-election.

"When you see me with Munya, know that we are sending a message: all Merus are aboard this vehicle (DCP). Munya is a leader we want to work with, and together we will shake Meru. With my brother here, we want Meru to work with other Kenyans," said Linturi.

Linturi, who previously served as a senator and Igembe South MP, lost the Meru governor seat to Kawira Mwangaza in 2022. Mwangaza has since been impeached.

Other notable figures in the DCP Meru team are former MPs Maore Maoka and David Karithi. Veteran journalist Patrick Muriungi serves as the party's regional coordinator.

Maoka described DCP as the party of the people. "This is the vehicle to liberate Kenya," said Maoka, who recently resigned as Jubilee Party deputy leader to join DCP.

Currently, all 11 MPs from Meru, including Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi, are aligned with President Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

DCP team has launched mobilisation strategies to popularise the party across Meru's nine constituencies.