Wa Iria Rubbishes calls to join Kenya Kwanza, stays loyal to Raila's Azimio

Former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, Usawa party leader Mwangi wa Iria (centre), and Roots Party Leader George Wajackoya at a past event in Kisii County. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has rejected attempts by a section of leaders to lure him to join President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza.

Speaking during the funeral service of renowned Murang’a political strategist Moses Kang’ethe at Kimorori Grounds, Kenol market, leaders led by Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Kangema MP Peter Kihungi, pleaded with Wa Iria to abandon Azimio and support the government.

Kihungi told the former governor that he has a vision and capacity but can do well if he supports the government.

“Just support the affordable housing programme and other projects,” the MP told Wa Iria.

Wahome recounted the political battles with the former governor, saying that despite the differences they remained friends after Kang’ethe's intervention.

She said there was need for Wa Iria to support the government due to his potential in politics.

“Cross to the government side as Murang’a needs diversification politics to help push for development programmes,” said the CS.

But the former governor rubbished the calls saying he was better off in Azimio as a political student of Raila, where most of the leaders including President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta started from.

He said many of the people who had been with Raila have excelled politically thus nobody should try to lure him out of the coalition.

The former Governor said it was unfortunate that there are political squabbles when there was an outcry over the increased cost of living.

“It's only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who has never been an ally to Raila. President Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta and the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, and Kalonzo Musyoka among others are political students of Raila,” said Iria.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said Murang’a will get a second Huduma Centre at  Kenol market after the county government allocated a piece of land. 

Kuria said the next fertiliser distribution point will be taken closer to the farmers. 

“Kenol should have a distribution point to save farmers from travelling long distances to Maragua,” said Kuria.

Elsewhere, a sombre mood engulfed Gaitega village in Kiharu during the funeral service of five Catholic faithful who died in road accident along the Nyeri- Nyahururu highway as they were coming from Subukia Shrine.

During the mass celebrated by Catholic Bishops Antony Muheria of Nyeri and Joseph Mwongela (Kitui), the residents mourned the deaths Jecinta Nyarua, Jane Njeri Muiruri, Jane Wanjiku Gitau, Mercy Waithira, Veronica Wambui, and the matatu driver Francis Manyeki.