Meru Governor Peter Munya defects from party ahead of 2017 polls

Meru Governor Peter Munya defects from party ahead of 2017 polls

Meru Governor Peter Munya has defected from the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), which is headed by Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi.

Munya has joined the Party of National Unity (PNU), a party he says he wants to head in readiness for the 2017 General Election.

Munya, who doubles up as the Council of Governors chairman, has on several occasions expressed dissatisfaction by the move to merge all Jubilee coalition affiliate parties to form the Jubilee Party.

The Meru Governor has also been at loggerheads with Senator Kiraitu Murungi, who has expressed interest in running for his (Munya’s) post come next year.

Munya and Kiraitu have in the recent past traded barbs over what the latter terms as misuse of resources allocated to the county.

He had also hinted that he would decamp from Kiraitu’s party, famously known as the ‘Mbus’ party, accusing the Senator of running it like a private entity.

Unlike in the past where an elected leader lost their seat upon defection, Munya will retain his post as the Meru Governor following the enactment of the Political Parties (Amendment) Act 2016 which shields party ‘hoppers’.

Munya has also expressed interest in running for the Presidency in the year 2022, an ambition that Kiraitu trashes as unachievable.

Early February, Munya said that he would not defend his seat on a Jubilee ticket saying the party already favours his rival, Senator Kiraitu Murungi.

Speaking during the 53rd Madaraka Day celebrations at the Meru Polytechnic, Munya, however, said that he still supports President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto in their re-election bid.

He also hit out at Kiraitu for allegedly running a smear campaign against him saying the Meru Senator has no capacity to lead the county.

Late June, Kiraitu stated that Meru region would support Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 presidential elections.

Speaking at Methodist Church in Igembe North, Kiraitu rubbished Munya’s interest in the 2022 seat saying there is no way he could win the race by relying on the support of Meru region only.

“If Governor Munya is serious about running for president in 2022 he should be visiting other counties to hunt for votes since Meru only cannot guarantee him the seat,” he said.

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories