Kiraitu-Kindiki supremacy wars play out in public as President visits Meru

The fight for the control of Mt Kenya East votes nearly spoilt a key visit to Meru County by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Supremacy battles between Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi and his Tharaka-Nithi counterpart Kithure Kindiki started on the first day of the President’s visit on Friday and intensified on Saturday.

The political differences played out during the Presidents’ rallies, with Prof Kindiki being snubbed by Mr Murungi at some spots.

This happened in spite of a call by Mr Kenyatta for unity among local leaders.

Prof Kindiki, who was recently appointed the Ameru spokesman at a controversial ceremony, faced the wrath of the Meru senator, who openly refused to invite him to address gatherings.

During the entire tour, Prof Kindiki, who is also the Senate Majority Leader, was allowed to address the public at only three stopovers — Marimba (South Imenti), Kagaene (Tigania West) and Maua (Igembe South).

KINDIKI SNUBBED

At Marimba, the President’s first stop, it took his intervention for Prof Kindiki to address the public after Mr Murungi snubbed him.

Mr Murungi had invited only the local MP, the Meru Woman Representative and Meru Governor Peter Munya to speak but President Kenyatta asked for the Jubilee Alliance Party diehard to be also allowed to “greet” the people.

During a stopover at Kareine in Central Imenti on Friday, MP Gideon Mwiti declared Mr Murungi was still the de facto leader of the Ameru community.

On Saturday, the President, who was accompanied by Mr Murungi and Mr Munya, cancelled a visit to Urru Stadium in Tigania West, where he was scheduled to address the public.

Prof Kindiki and some Meru MPs considered his close allies were left stranded, only to realise that Mr Kenyatta had headed to the next stop at Kagaene in the same sub-county.

At Kagaene, Prof Kindiki spoke after MP David Karithi, one of his close allies, intervened.

At Mikinduri in Tigania East, MP Mpuru Aburi, another close ally of the Tharaka Nithi senator, tried to invite him after Mr Murungi failed to do so but was only allowed to wave at the crowd.

However, in conciliatory tone, Prof Kindiki said it was important for the people of Meru and Tharaka-Nithi County to be united.

“It is important that we become one and work with the national government,” he said at Maua Stadium, where he was invited to speak after his Embu counterpart Lenny Kivuti spoke.

POLITICAL DIFFERENCES

In apparent response to the political differences, President Kenyatta underscored the need for political leaders in the county to bury their differences and work for Kenyans.

“The people of Meru are not interested in your small wars. They will not feed on your political differences or party interest but what you will do for them,” said Mr Kenyatta.

Mr Murungi said Meru County is unequivocal in its support for Mr Kenyatta and his government.

“Whichever direction the President tells us to take, we shall duly follow. We support your government and we are solidly behind you,” said Mr Murungi.

He said the tour was a follow-up to the promises the President had earlier made. The visit, he added, was fruitful because of the development projects Mr Kenyatta launched.

MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP

“The President has endeared himself to this region. What we only want is mutual friendship with your government. We will support the government so long as it brings development to our people,” he said.

The war between Mr Murungi, who is the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) leader, and Prof Kindiki started during lobbying for the Majority Leader position after Jubilee came into power.

Prof Kindiki eclipsed Mr Murungi for the seat for having stood with Jubilee Alliance since its establishment and having won the Tharaka-Nithi seat on a TNA ticket.

Top Jubilee leaders are said to have been unhappy with the sleepless nights Mr Murungi’s APK gave TNA prior to the elections, which compelled President Kenyatta to return to the region for campaigns a number of times.

While Mr Murungi has been fighting to continue being the “King of Ameru” Prof Kindiki has been angling to win support for himself and JAP in the region. The Senate Majority Leader is seeking to be Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 elections.