Coronation rekindles Kiraitu, Munya rivalry
Dorcas Mbatia and Seth Mwaniki
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi’s coronation as the Mt Kenya spokesperson has rekindled the rivalry between Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.
While Kiraitu supports Muturi, Munya has establised himself as a lone ranger and seems to have found a safe landing at the west of the mountain, which has faulted the enthronement.
Munya was among leaders who attended the Nyeri meeting of governors that condemned Muturi’s coronation, with a declaration that Mt Kenya East will field a presidential candidate in next year’s elections.
In fact, Munya was accorded the role of the chief guest in the meeting attended by governors Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a) and Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga).
Munya, who was ousted by Kiraitu has not disguised his appetite for the county seat and has been dishing goodies to farmers calculated to raise his political fortunes.
Munya readily dismissed Muturi’s anointing at Mukurwe wa Nyagatanga shrines in Murang’a.
“I have never heard of a seat called spokesperson, neither have I ever seen its office so whatever went on is pure comedy, because who said a region should have one spokesperson?
Does this mean when Muturi is speaking all of us both men and women will remain silent?” posed Munya.
Stop fighting
Munya has denied claims by Mt Kenya East politicians that the region had been politically neglected. The CS has faced the wrath of elders for opposing Muturi’s coronation.
Led by Njuri Ncheke Secretary General Jospaht Murangiri, the elders accused Munya of being selfish and against the unity of the region ahead of the next year’s polls.
“We are telling Munya to stop fighting Muturi because we are the ones who have decided to settle on him (Muturi).
This is what we have been looking for so Munya cannot dictate to us on what to do,” Murangiri said.
Kiraitu on the other hand has maintained that Muturi is their leader and asked Mt Kenya East residents to support him.
“Our neighbours are very selfish and political betrayers. I cannot imagine some leaders including governors from West met in Nyeri to discuss how they can field their own candidate when we agreed we will support Speaker Muturi after President Uhuru Kenyatta retires,” said Kiraitu.
“We are tired of this cat and mouse games where cats will eventually feed on flesh meat but the dog is fed on bones.
We are not ready to eat the waste again. We are ready to walk alone,” said the Meru county boss.
In a dramatic about-turn, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, an ally of Deputy President William Ruto, has thrown his weight behind Muturi and Kiraitu’s call for Mt Kenya East to reciprocate their past political support.
“Kiraitu is a veteran in politics who calculates his political moves. He does miss the direction so we do not doubt when he says this is the direction we need to take as Mt Kenya East. We are fully behind Muturi,” Linturi told People Daily.
“If pot bursts let it burst. We have stood with them for a long time. This is their time to reciprocate and if they do not want we are not begging them.
Our eyes are open we will work with those willing to work with us,” added Mithika.
Meru county Assembly Minority Leader Ayub Bundi, however, said they were aware that Kiraitu is trying to play political card close to his chest as he is about to bid active politics goodbye.
“We are not against Muturi. He is our son but we know Kiraitu is trying to play smart politics because he is about to retire,” added Ayub.
Political card
A group of Kikuyu Council of Elders has told off their colleagues who are attacking Muturi over his recent coronation.
The elders blasted political leaders from the western side that brings together Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyandarua and Nakuru counties describing them as thankless, selfish and jealous.
Through their patron Kung’u Muigai, the elders said the Eastern side has played an integral role since pre- independent period by supporting their Western counterparts to produce national leaders and thus there was a need to support them too.
Kung’u said that no amount of political bickering, intimidation or witch-hunt will stop the journey that has already begun to have Muturi take the regional leadership mantle.
His sentiments come after Muturi was crowned as spokesperson of the region, at an event that was held at Mukurwe Wa Nyagathanga in Murang’a County last month.
“I am urging those who are not happy with what we have done to shut up and desist from hurling insults at Muturi.
After we were done with our event at Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga, we left that place there and any other person can carry out a similar activity with whoever they want,” he said.
