Work with Mwangaza to secure Meru votes, Ruto told

President William Ruto and Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza during a past tour of Meru. [File, Standard]

Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP-Bus party) Secretary General Mugambi Imanyara has distanced himself from the party's decision to decamp from President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza coalition.

Mr Imanyara has urged President Ruto to take stock of his waning support in Meru after the DEP, whose party leader is former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, left the ruling coalition.

Imanyara describes himself as a 'fanatic' supporter of former Governor Kawira Mwangaza and is now urging the president to reach out to Mwangaza to help him consolidate support in the region.

Imanyara, who has also been acting as Mwangaza's advisor, said Ruto had lost the support of key Meru leaders.

"Three months down the road and Kawira having now gone back to her home and resorted to farming and other activities, other leaders who assembled before you have taken off, and in particular those who assured you they were going to be behind you after the impeachment," said Imanyara, a lawyer.

Imanyara said Ruto has remained exposed with the exit of several leaders.

But Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi said he still supported Ruto because of the projects his administration had started in his region, including the Gatithini-Mikinduri road and ongoing projects of multi-million markets at Mulika, Mikunduri, and other developments.

"How can I fail to support the president who has given us so much development. I am 100 percent supporting Ruto," said Mr Aburi, the National Ordinary People Empowerment Union (Nopeu) party leader.