Munya fights to counter claims of backing Raila

Party of National Unity leader Peter Munya. (Photo: Peter Muthomi, Standard) 

The Party of National Unity (PNU) plans to call a National Executive Committee meeting to re-endorse President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election.

The decision to organise another delegates’ conference to re-endorse Kenyatta for the seat comes in the wake of comments made by Senator Kiraitu Murungi and Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi to the effect that the party’s leader, Governor Peter Munya, was fronting the National Super Alliance (NASA) agenda in Meru.

Political battle

Mr Murungi and Mr Munya are locked in a fierce battle for the Meru governor’s seat in the August 8 polls.

Addressing Jubilee rallies in the region, Murungi and Mr Linturi claimed that Governor Munya has been funding NASA’s meetings.

Murungi said Munya was not supporting Uhuru’s re-election because he has not led PNU in endorsing Uhuru, as did a number of parties.

But Munya has denied the claims, accusing his rival of trying to portray himself as a Uhuru’s greatest ally for political expediency.

“Painting himself and his brigade as foremost defenders of the Uhuru presidency will not save them from their political Waterloo. I am in PNU and we support the re-election of Uhuru Kenyatta. Period!” said Munya.

His party officials have also come out in his defence.

Wednesday John Okemwa, the PNU Secretary-General, denied the two leaders’ claims, accusing them of spreading falsehoods.

Mr Okemwa and PNU Acting Executive Director Peter Kaberia said they would convene the NEC meeting “to put this matter to rest once and for all”.

“We are going to seek an appointment with State House to see if the President is available soon so that we can re-endorse him. In October last year we held our National Delegates Convention (NDC), where Munya was unveiled as party leader and where he announced the party’s support for Uhuru’s re-election,” said Okemwa.

He dismissed as ‘propaganda’ claims that the Council of Governors chairman was not backing Uhuru’s re-election bid.

“Our NDC at Bomas passed a resolution that it will support Uhuru. We have not gone back on our resolution. We are appalled at the attempt by senior people in Meru to tarnish the good name of the party. Kiraitu ceased being the PNU secretary-general, but if he is bitter, misses it, and wants to come back, we welcome him,” Okemwa added.

He said though the budget for another NDC meeting was enormous, the party was ready to host delegates to set the record straight on Murungi’s claims and “put this matter to rest one and for all”.

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