Uhuru Kenyatta seeks support for new JAP party as he launches projects in Meru

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday rolled out a number of goodies to Meru residents as he reached out to them to support the newly formed Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).

Speaking during his first visit to the vote-rich county since his election in 2013, President Kenyatta sought to eat into the Alliance Party of Kenya's support in the area by asking Jubilee coalition parties to join JAP in to strengthen the ruling coalition.

"If we fight amongst ourselves we won't develop. Lets respect each other and be one and we will change the face of Kenya," President Kenyatta said.

The new JAP outfit has been met with strong opposition by some APK leaders, led by Meru Governor Peter Munya, who has said it would take the country back to the dark days of a single party.

While Kiraitu Murungi, the party leader of APK — also known as the 'Bus' party — is ready to work with JAP ahead of 2017 elections, Mr Munya has threatened to form another party if it is dissolved.

According to Mr Munya, JAP was meant to allow some individuals to gain power after President Kenyatta term ends in 2022 if he wins a second term in 2017.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki, who has been campaigning for JAP support, has shown interest of being Deputy President William Ruto's running mate in 2022.

STOP 'SMALL WARS'

On Friday, President Kenyatta, who spoke at various spots in the county, also said he was ready to work with counties and asked governors to work closely with the national government.

He said Kenyans voted for the constitution with the devolved system and hence the need for leaders to work for the people.

President Kenyatta asked Meru leaders and Kenyans at large to unite for the betterment of the country.

He asked Meru leaders to stop the "small wars", which he said are not beneficial to locals.

"I assure you that my will and that of my government is unity for the prosperity of Kenyans," President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta, who landed at Marimba at 11am, was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto and a number of MPs to open the Meru-Marimba-Nkubu-Mitunguu road and Imenti-Kionyo-Chogoria road.

Both roads are 84 kilometres and were built through the assistance of the European Union and Kenya Urban Roads Authority.

At hand to receive the Head of State during his two-day visit to Meru were Governor Peter Munya, Senator Kiraitu Murungi, Women Representative Florence Kajuju and a number of other MPs.

ISSUE TITLE DEEDS

The President was also set to open a fresh produce market and issue title deeds.

In total, the President is expected to issue 200,000 title deeds to Meru residents during the tour, launch a 180km new road construction programme and some irrigation projects.

President Kenyatta's visit to Meru is crucial in consolidating his support in the region that has been shaky following previous threats by APK to withdraw from the Jubilee Coalition for allegedly being short-changed in the allocation of the Political Parties Fund.

(Read: Uhuru visit a bid to quell dissent in Meru region)

Meru leaders have also shown discontentment over the allocation of top public service jobs, saying professionals from the region were sidelined.

Mr Munya has also rubbed the Jubilee administration the wrong way by chairing a committee of the Council of Governors pushing for a referendum for more resources to be taken to the counties.

Local leaders have also been divided over the leadership of the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders.

(Read: Meru leaders unite ahead of Uhuru visit)

In the past, the leaders also expressed concern over delays by President Kenyatta to visit the county despite the residents overwhelmingly voting for him in last elections.

The failure by President Kenyatta to intervene and ensure the ban of miraa trade in Europe is reversed has also not gone down well with locals as the prices of the stimulant drop in the local market.

The area MPs are also on record complaining over neglect by the Uhuru-Ruto leadership of the key projects initiated by former president Mwai Kibaki.