COUNTY POLITICS: Munya, Murungi support allies to fight Senate war

The senatorial race in Meru is boiling down to a competition between outgoing Senator Kiraitu Murungi and political ally-turned nemesis, Governor Peter Munya.

Although the two are not contesting for the seat, they are sponsoring allies through their parties to wage political war against each other.

For Mr Murungi, it’s Igembe South Member of Parliament Mithika Linturi while Mr Munya’s pick is Nairobi lawyer Mugambi Imanyara.

Mr Linturi hopes to ride on his two-term experience as MP to floor his rivals. He will run on a Jubilee Party ticket.

“Jubilee Party is very strong in Meru,” said Mr Linturi. “President Uhuru Kenyatta is very popular here.”

MEMBERS FAVOURED

The race is likely to be a fight between Jubilee and the Party of National Unity (PNU), which is led by Mr Munya.
However, there is some grumbling about the influence of Senator Murungi’s camp. Some aspirants, fearing that its members will be favoured during nominations, have left the party.

Mr Munya says the arrogance with which the Jubilee is handling political affairs in the region will end up in a protest vote in favour of candidates from the former ruling party.

“We have a very strong candidate for the senate seat,” said Mr Munya.

“We believe victory for the senator and governor will be ours,” he added.

In the 2013 elections, political leaders are said to have agreed that the Imenti sub-tribe produce a senate candidate while Nyambene region in the north, which comprises the Igembe and Tigania people, was to produce a governor.

PICKING ASPIRANTS

This saw most of the Senate aspirants emerge from Imenti and governorship aspirants from Nyambene.

However, the entry of Mr Murungi into the gubernatorial race this year has forced him to pick a senate aspirant from Igembe while Mr Munya has a preferred senate candidate from Imenti.

Also in the senate race are Mr Gideon Thuranira (Maendeleo Chap Chap) and Mr Anderson Kathendu, who is yet to name his desired party after he defected from PNU.

Mr Murungi has been accused by his opponents of not actively defending the interests of Meru County in the national government.

But the senator has defended his performance, saying he has lobbied for increased allocation of sharable revenue to the county, besides planned dams and 200 kilometres of roads.

“All the money coming into the county does not come by itself,” said Mr Murungi.

HIGHEST ALLOCATIONS

“I have ensured Meru benefits from national government projects.,” he added.

He says Meru has received one of the highest allocations, among the 47 counties, amounting to about Sh30 billion, over the past four years.

As the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Mr Murungi has pushed for the reduction of tea taxes as well as coffee sector reforms.

In his support for the Linturi senatorial bid, Mr Murungi sells the MP as an astute debater in parliament, who “will ensure we get the resources for development”.

Mr Mugambi, who is from Mr Murungi’s backyard, is not new to national politics and is expected to be among the top contenders.

He is riding on the support of Mr Munya and his PNU.

Mr Thuranira, a new entrant into politics, is working with former assistant minister Dr Kilemi Mwiria, who came second to Mr Munya in 2013.