I will not join Jubilee Party, Munya tells Ruto to his face

Deputy President William Ruto, Meru Governor Peter Munya (second left) and Senator Kiraitu Murungi (left) at the launch of Imenti Youth Empowerement Sacco in Nkubu, Meru County, yesterday. [PHOTO: DPPS]

Meru Governor Peter Munya yesterday stormed out of a meeting presided over by Deputy President William Ruto.

In a rare show of defiance, Mr Munya told Ruto and Meru Senator Kiraitu to their faces that he would not join the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP). The governor was infuriated after local leaders urged him to join the party.

The governor declared that he had made up his mind to defend his seat on another party following the decision to dissolve the Kiraitu-led Alliance Party of Kenya.

“In 2017 I will ask for votes on another party, I have a right to choose which party I will join. I cannot be intimidated or told the route to follow,” Munya said amid jeers from a section of the crowd.

He spoke at St Pius Minor Seminary High School in Meru during a funds drive in aid of South Imenti Youth Empowerment Sacco.

A visibly angry Munya spoke for about two minutes before he handed his donation and left amid jeers.  He was categorical that he would not be shepherded into the new party.

Yesterday, trouble was imminent as all the MPs present except Tigania West’s David Kariithi, rooted for the JAP. 

The MPs, including ODM’s Kubai Kiringo of Igembe Central, claimed that people in the region had agreed to join JAP.

Other MPs who supported the JAP include Rahim Dawood (Imenti North), Muthomi Njuki (Chuka/Igambang’ombe), Joseph M’Eruaki (Igembe North), Mithika Linturi (Igembe South), Florence Kajuju (Meru), Njogu Barua (Gichugu), Kathuri Murungi (Imenti South) and Majority Leader Aden Duale.

But Kariithi, who supported Munya, differed with his colleagues and faulted Kiraitu for entering the race  governorship despite the existence of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Imentis and Tiganias.

“When we met in 2012, we agreed that the governorship would be in Tigania for 10 years and the senatorial position in Imenti for 10 years. We should respect this MoU,” Kariithi said.

When the governor was invited by Ms Kajuju to address the meeting he said he would not be coerced into joining JAP since he had freedom to choose.

“I’m not a child, I’m an adult and come rain or sunshine, I will choose the party I want,” Munya said

He appeared irked by Dawood’s remark that Kiraitu was “the incoming governor”.

Munya declared that “since APK is being folded I will defend my seat using another party but definitely not Jubilee”. Directing his anger at those shouting him down he said, “I know you have been put there purposely to jeer me but I will not be intimidated”.

He explained that he had to cut short his speech since he had other engagements in Buuri and Tigania.

Munya then handed over the microphone and stormed out of the meeting followed by his security and other aides. He left before DP Ruto addressed the meeting.

The Deputy President was categorical that there was no turning back in the bid to have all parties under Jubilee coalition fold ahead of the 2017 elections.

“It is the choice of those not willing to join this ship to move to other parties but hawa watu tutawaonyesha kivumbi (but we will show them dust),” the DP said.

Ruto said they would not force people to join the new party.

“We have agreed with the President to break away from the past where parties have been formed on tribal and regional basis. A situation where each community has a party has no place in the 21st century,” said Ruto.

Ruto described the opposition as confused since they were yet to name their presidential flag bearer.

“While in our team we know our presidential candidate for 2017, the other team has yet to make up its mind. All they know is to criticise the government every day,” the DP said.

Kiraitu said significant progress had been made in the formation of the new party which would be unveiled soon.

He criticised  the county government saying the cheaper road technology “had all over sudden become very expensive”.

Kiraitu said: “When the President came here he was very impressed when he heard that a kilometre of road was being constructed at Sh30 million. I also supported the venture but we are now being told that for other constituencies the same distance will cost Sh49 million. Where is Sh19 million going?”

 The DP had earlier led 15 local MPs in drumming up support for JAP during a ceremony at St Pius Seminary in Imenti South and Kirigara Girls School in Imenti Central.