PNU will not dissolve to join Jubilee, Munya says

What you need to know:

  • Speaking to the Nation.co.ke on phone, Mr Munya who is eyeing the PNU party leader post said although Chairman John Kamama attended the State House event where President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto spelt JP agenda said “PNU is here to stay.”
  • The combative governor who has announced his interest for the presidency in 2022 said PNU will back President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto for a second term in next year’s polls.

Meru Governor Peter Munya has welcomed the planned merger of Jubilee Coalition affiliate parties but insisted the Party of National Unity (PNU) will not dissolve.

“I wish them well,” Mr Munya said of the announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto at State House on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Nation.co.ke on phone, Mr Munya who is eyeing the PNU party leader post said although Chairman John Kamama attended the State House event where President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto spelt JP agenda said “PNU is here to stay.”

“Only one individual (Mr Kamama) is for the dissolution. It is not correct at all to say PNU has dissolved. The national executive committee met and authorised the secretary general Mr John Okemwa who was declared recently by tribunal as bonafide SG to call for national delegate’s conference which is still slated for September,” Mr Munya said.

“Kamama is an individual. He is not the party. We are not joining Jubilee,” Mr Munya said, who has vowed to lead his supporters in joining PNU in large numbers.

The combative governor who has announced his interest for the presidency in 2022 said PNU will back President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto for a second term in next year’s polls.

However, the party that President Mwai Kibaki used to ascend to power will field candidates for Senatorial, gubernatorial, woman representative, parliamentary and ward representative slots in 2017 vote.

“We will field candidates in all positions except the presidency,” he said.

Despite being elected on Alliance Party of Kenya ticket which falls under the Jubilee Coalition, Mr Munya has been a thorn in the flesh of the Jubilee administration due to his firm stand on issues.

The Meru leader crossed swords with the Kenyatta leadership for opposing dissolution of parties to form one umbrella outfit under JP saying this would return the country to days of single party dictatorship.

Mr Munya also rubbed the Kenyatta government the wrong way by leading the push for a referendum for more resources to be given to devolved units.

Last week, Mr Munya accused Mr Ruto of fighting him because he wanted to challenge him for the presidency in 2022.

He says the DP was using Senator Kiraitu Murungi who has announced he will vie for the Meru gubernatorial seat and other local leaders to undermine him.
Former MPs Nderitu Mureithi and Jeremiah Kioni have also opposed the killing of PNU to join JP.