Munya-Kiraitu war leaves Meru residents guessing
What you need to know:
- Recently, Mr Murungi, who is the APK leader was in the eye of a storm after Mr Munya, the party’s director of elections, threatened to ditch the party.
- The lawmakers also differed with the governor, accusing some county executives of playing politics when they sought to win them over.
Is Senator Kiraitu Murungi turning his back on his once bosom friend Governor Peter Munya?
This is the question on most people’s lips as the battle for Meru political supremacy shapes up ahead of the 2017 elections.
The two, who enjoy massive following, and were elected on Alliance Party of Kenya tickets, seem not to be reading from the same script-politically.
Recently, Mr Murungi, who is the APK leader was in the eye of a storm after Mr Munya, the party’s director of elections, threatened to ditch the party.
Mr Munya, the Council of Governors Chairman, is the only county boss elected on an APK ticket.
Anxiety gripped top party leaders over Mr Munya’s threat to quit when he appeared to suggest that APK’s top leadership was destablising his administration.
This followed an open defiance by some APK nominated MCAs.
Political tension heightened last week when a group of MPs turned the heat on Mr Munya’s leadership style and endorsed Mr Murungi to contest the governor’s seat in 2017.
Mr Mithika Linturi (Igembe South), Mr Rahim Dawood (Imenti North), Mr Kubai Kiringo (Igembe Central), Mr Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East) and Woman Representative Florence Kajuju said Mr Murungi was best suited to replace Mr Munya as governor.
They accused Mr Munya of fuelling divisions between them.
The lawmakers also differed with the governor, accusing some county executives of playing politics when they sought to win them over.
In fact, the talk that Mr Murungi could be eyeing the county’s top seat has been a subject of debates on TV and FM stations.
During the “Nkinyanga Declaration”, the lawmakers accused the governor of being an impediment to unity.
Of late, Mr Munya has been caught up in all manner of wars, fighting to maintain his hold in the vote-rich county.
From differences pitting him and a group of Njuri Ncheke elders, open defiance by MCAs, political supremacy battles and most recently, reports of misappropriation of funds have torn into his reputation.
“Mr Murungi has been in politics for 25 uninterrupted years. That is no mean achievement and we respect it. A person who has been in politics for 10 years should not think he is more important than others. That is unacceptable,” Mr Linturi said.
