Iria demands to know why police blocked supporters
Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria is demanding answers from the Inspector General of Police after a contingent of armed officers blocked his caravan from entering Nyandarua county on Sunday.
Wa Iria said he does not understand why the security officers took such a step.
Speaking in his office yesterday, the governor said he is not a lesser presidential candidate, pointing out that three other aspirants had toured the region and did not get such treatment.
“The Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and the Orange Democratic Movement chief Raila Odinga were in Mt Kenya region over the weekend and none of them had their way blocked,” he said.
“The three had police escort in all the places they visited, but the people whom I had sent to popularise my party were turned back,” he added.
Wa Iria had dispatched his campaign team to Nyandarua for a national recruitment drive for his Usawa Kwa Wote party. However, they were repulsed by police.
The party has mobilised over 2,000 volunteers to facilitate registration of new members in counties ahead of next year’s polls.
Governor said this sends a clear message that there is a plan to block any leader from the region seeking to run for presidency. He has vowed to fight and pursue his ambition.
Few individuals
He claimed the move was profiling the Kikuyu community to create an impression that the region should not produce a presidential candidate.
“I am not taking this issue lightly and as a community we need answers as to why one of us should be treated like this,” he said.
This, he said, is a dangerous trend and could cause unrest in the region and the country at large.
“We are not going to allow a few individuals to profile our community, especially now that we are heading to the election” he remarked.
He also said he will not succumb to any forces of intimidation and nothing shall stop his bid to vie for presidency.
“I will not be cowed and those behind this should know I am going to contest for this seat whether they like it or not” remarked Wa Iria.
He said his aim is to represent the interest of the people, claiming that some leaders have already sold the region out and are only negotiating for what to get in exchange.
The governor said he shall personally visit Nyandarua, and dared police to stop him, claiming he was blocked because he is popular among the residents.
Wa Iria said the region has been welcoming leaders from other parts of the country without any hostility and the same should apply to him.
“Any leader is free to come to this region and I should also be free to go to any part of the country without any restriction” he added.
