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Meru Governor Peter Munya has dared his political adversaries to a duel come 2017.
In what appears to be the beginning of a bare-knuckles political battle pitting him and his erstwhile political mentor, Senator Kiraitu Murungi, Mr Munya said he is ready "to face anyone in the ballot."
Stung by remarks by Meru MPs who endorsed Mr Kiraitu for the governorship in 2017, Munya said he ascended to the seat courtesy of votes from the people and was ready to return to the same residents for re-election.
"We will not be distracted. We are focused in delivering our mandate. I looked for my own votes and when the right time comes, I will go back to the people," said Munya.
The governor fired back at a section of MPs who on Saturday, endorsed Kiraitu for the gubernatorial seat in the 2017 elections.
Meru MPs Florence Kajuju, Kubai Kiringo, Mpuru Aburi, Mithika Linturi and Rahim Dawood accompanied Kiraitu to a fundraiser at Nkinyang'a Secondary School in Igembe Central, where the governor came under scathing attack for what the leaders said is his unwillingness to work with them.
But speaking at Kiengu in Igembe Central during a thanksgiving ceremony for James Mutia, his chief of staff, Munya said the MPs declaration did not scare him, and he is ready for whoever is his opponent in 2017.
"I am ready to face them," he declared.
He said those who are secretly plotting to run against him will find him a force to reckon with when the time comes.
He referred to his opponent as an animal lurking in the bushes, and dared him to come out.
"We are ready to face the animals hiding in the bushes. That animal should come out, for us to see it," said Munya, igniting wild applause from the crowd.
Lone ranger
At the same time, in what was interpreted as a veiled reference to Kiraitu, on whose Alliance Party of Kenya he got the seat, Munya said he was his own man, and did not benefit from anybody's support to bag the seat.
"If there was anybody supporting me, let them put me down and we will see if I will not be able to walk on my own. Everybody was asking for their own votes, and I got where I am on my own," Munya, who was accompanied by Water Executive Mary Mwiti, and 10 MCAs, and other senior staff, said.
He added: "We are not worried at all, we will continue delivering our mandate. I asked for my own votes, and will do it again."
Responding to accusations by a section of MPs some executives were preparing to run in 2017, Ms Mwiti merely said 'MPs should not fear anything'.
Members of the County Assembly also weighed on the matter and pledged to stand with Munya.
Njia MCA Eunice Karema and her Kangeta counterpart Romano Mwito said the MPs putting the governor under siege were envious of his development projects covering all corners of Meru, a fact that had alienated the MPs.
"We can see all the water, roads and health projects in the wards, courtesy of Munya. While the MPs are busy 'sleeping' in Parliament, Munya is busy working. The MPs are not even using their CDF to do water and other projects," said Ms Karema.
Mr Mwito said the declaration by the MPs that was made in his ward would not change the fact that Munya was a popular leader as a result of his development record.
"I was at Nkinyan'gi where the MPs were. It was a small crowd and their declaration (to support Kiraitu against Munya) will not change Munya's fortunes. The MPs have realised that Munya is achieving in initiating development projects, yet they have nothing to show for themselves," said Mwito.
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