Keep off Meru politics, Munya now tells Ruto
Meru governor Peter Munya reacts after Nyeri Court of Appeal nullified his election on March 12, 2014. In a veiled attack against Deputy President William Ruto, Mr Munya has claimed 2017 politics was being played in the yet to be announced by-election in Meru County. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI
What you need to know:
- Mr Munya whose election was nullified by the Court of Appeal sitting in Nyeri last week, questioned why Mr Ruto visited the county frequently and was close to a majority of MPs in the region, claiming it was an indication that he was grooming for the 2017 election.
- He claimed there was ploy by the government to silence him over his regular sentiments to guard devolution adding that he would continue voicing his concerns to ensure the devolved system works for all Kenyans.
Ousted Meru governor Peter Munya has blamed forces in the national government of frustrating the success of devolution by playing cheap politics.
In a veiled attack against Deputy President William Ruto, Mr Munya claimed 2017 politics was being played in the yet to be announced by-election in Meru County.
Mr Munya whose election was nullified by the Court of Appeal sitting in Nyeri last week, questioned why Mr Ruto visited the county frequently and was close to a majority of MPs in the region, claiming it was an indication that he was grooming for the 2017 election.
“We are wondering why the Appellate court ruling date was changed and the DP’s visit to Meru was postponed to coincide with the weekend that my election was nullified. I read malice in the whole scenario and I am telling them that we are not at the mercy of anybody at the national government,” he said.
Speaking at Kenya Methodist University during a seminar to review devolution, Mr Munya said the people of Meru will not have leaders imposed on them and asked voters not to be influenced by single-minded politicians.
GOVERNMENT PLOY
“We are not against Mr Ruto visiting Meru. But he should keep off Meru politics and let those eyeing the governor’s seat to campaign on their own. We can handle our politics and don’t need the influence of others,” he lamented.
He claimed there was ploy by the government to silence him over his regular sentiments to guard devolution adding that he would continue voicing his concerns to ensure the devolved system works for all Kenyans.
Mr Munya who once served as Tigania East MP dismissed the Appellate court ruling and said he would proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling.
“We have asked for proceedings from the Court of Appeal so that we can proceed to the Supreme Court, but they are being intentionally delayed. This is a ploy to ensure a by-election is declared before we move to the highest court,” he said.
Assembly member Alhaji Mwendia also asked Mr Ruto to keep off the county’s affairs and concentrate on matters of national importance.
“We are asking Mr Ruto and a section of Meru MPs to stay away from county politics. Meru County is safe in the hands of the county executive and the county assembly and we will ensure that we support the ousted governor as he has done a lot for us,” said Mr Mwendia.
At the same time, he opposed a bid to disband the senate saying it will likely stifle the country’s development as devolution takes shape.
