Imanyara defends move to ditch ODM and join Chap Chap
Former Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara and his wife Florence arrive at Githongo Stadium for a rally on April 2, 2017. He said he support President Kenyatta’s re-election bid. Photo | PHOEBE OKALL | nation media group
What you need to know:
- He spoke on Sunday during a rally at Githongo Stadium in Meru.
- It was his first public appearance after announcing his parliamentary bid.
- He had announced that he would retire from active politics after he lost the Meru senatorial bid in 2013.
- He was first elected to Parliament in 1997, lost in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007.
Former Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara has defended his decision to ditch ODM and join Maendeleo Chap Chap as he seeks to reclaim the parliamentary seat in the August elections.
Mr Imanyara said that it is his wish and that of his constituents that he work for them while in the government and not in the opposition.
The lawyer said his decision is final and he will not backtrack on it.
“We are supportive of the new Constitution and therefore there is no room for the opposition. We are also supportive of President Kenyatta’s re-election because that is the will of my people,” said Mr Imanyara.
He spoke on Sunday during a rally at Githongo Stadium in Meru in his first public appearance after announcing his parliamentary bid.
PROJECTS
The former legislator also tore into the incumbent MP’s development record, saying there are no tangible projects on the ground and promised that one of his priorities will be to complete all those that have stalled.
“Most of them are still at the same level I left them. We cannot allow the reputation of our constituency to continue deteriorating. We must have proper change, which I am bringing on board,” he told the rally.
Mr Imanyara is facing stiff opposition from incumbent Gideon Mwiti, Meru County Secretary Julius Kimathi, Mwenda Makathimo, an expert on land matters, and Moses Nthurima, an official of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet).
He had announced that he would retire from active politics after he lost the Meru senatorial bid in 2013.
He was first elected to Parliament in 1997, lost in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007.
