Kiraitu, Munya battle for MCAs support in race for governor’s seat

The battle between Meru County Governor Peter Munya and Senator Kiraitu Murungi has sparked intense lobbying. The Senator, who has declared interest in the Governor’s seat in 2017, and Munya are now seeking the endorsement of area MPs and Members of County Assembly.

Now that it’s clear majority of MPs have gravitated towards the Senator, the focus has shifted to the 69-member assembly, where Kiraitu’s Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) and The National Alliance (TNA) have nearly equal representation.

Winning the support of the MCAs is crucial for both politicians since they are the people in touch with the voters at the grassroots.

Edwin Marete, the chairman of the Meru Youth Initiative, a youth empowerment organisation, says the support of MCAs will be crucial for both Murungi and Munya as they seek the governor’s seat. He says the backing of MCAs was important since these leaders “deliver votes more than MPs, because they are on the ground every day, as opposed to MPs who spend a lot of time in Nairobi and only make appearances at the weekend.”

“If you look keenly, you will notice that Speaker Joseph Kaberia and his deputy Gideon Kimathi, are at almost all of Kiraitu’s meetings. Kaberia has been close to Kiraitu for a long time. But still, many MCAs appear to be close to Munya because they want development projects in the wards. They do not want to antagonise him now,” he said.

While some MCAs would not be drawn to comment on who, between the two giants, they are rooting for, some politicians have openly declared that come next year, they will be backing Murungi to floor Munya, a former assistant minister and MP for Tigania East.

The Deputy Speaker told The Standard on Sunday that he has had a long-standing relationship with the Senator, and will support him for governor in 2017. Others who have expressed their support for Murungi are John Kireria (Igoji East), Alhaji Mwendia, Secondina Kanini (both Nominated), among others. Munya’s supporters in the assembly include George Kaliunga (Antubetwe), Andrew M’Eringo (Muthaara) and Romano Mwiti (Kangeta).

“Being a close confidant of Senator Kiraitu, and going by our close partnership, I will support him for governor’s seat in 2017. It is a fact that the Senator has been entrusted with building a strong party by the Presidency, and I believe he is the ideal candidate for that office,” said Mr Kimathi, who will also gun for the South Imenti parliamentary seat in next year’s elections.

But Kaliunga said he is against Murungi’s interest, saying it does not auger well for the unity of the county. Majority Leader Ayub Bundi (Abothoguchi Central), who is being lined up as Munya’s running mate, recently hosted the Governor in Imenti Central, and voiced his support. “For close to 20 years, development in the county has concentrated in Imenti South. Since Munya took office, we have seen many projects come up. Today, we declare our support for you in 2017,” said Bundi.

Edwin Marete, the chairman of the Meru Youth Initiative, a youth empowerment organisation, concurs that MCAs’ support will be a crucial determining factor as Kiraitu and Munya seek the governor’s seat.