Kiambaa by-election: “I didn’t drop out; I was kicked out by PEP” – Raymond Kuria reveals
As the constituents of Kiambaa line up to elect their next Member of Parliament today, People Daily Digital has learned that Raymond Kuria, a former aspirant for the seat did not step down the race as was reported.
In an interview footage seen by this reporter, Raymond who was vying on the Peoples Empowerment Party (PEP) ticket has revealed that he did not step down in favour of United Democratic Alliance's (UDA) candidate John Njuguna.
"Moses (Gatundu North MP) came up to me with a brilliant idea of uniting the people of Mt Kenya through his party (PEP) and I believed in him until the day before I was to submit my paperwork to IEBC. That is the day I learned through social media that I was no longer a PEP candidate," Raymond said.
Raymond further revealed that he thought the news was fake until IEBC clarified that indeed he had been dropped as PEPs candidate for the Kiambaa by-election.
"When I tried to submit my paperwork to IEBC that's when I learned that the Secretary General of PEP had submitted a letter to the electoral body withdrawing my candidacy," Raymond said.
In his revelation, Raymond stated that the Gatundu North MP has neither communicated to him nor answered his phone calls.
"Till today I don't know what happened. I have never communicated with Moses, I have tried calling him, he doesn't answer my phone calls. But I have no problem with him, I let bygones be bygones," Raymond said.
In May, Kuria made an announcement through his Facebook page stating that PEP had withdrawn from the race after he had talks with Deputy President William Ruto in favour of UDA.
Kuria said that PEPs entry into the race for Kiambaa did not go well with MPs Kimani Ichungwa and Rigathi Gachagua who are members of the Hustler Nation to which Kuria is also a party.
“To make my two colleagues happy and above all for the unity of the Hustler Nation, PEP will NOT be fielding a candidate for the Kiambaa by election. Where I come from they say, Utatiga Ndakora,"
"I take this opportunity to offer my profuse apologies to Hon Raymond Kuria, the people of Kiambaa and all PEP members who undoubtedly will be disappointed with this decision,” Kuria announced.
However, Raymond's latest revelation that he was dropped out of the race has brought to the fore pertinent questions on who actually runs PEP.
"I didn't drop out of the race, I was dropped. It's just a few weeks ago that I came to learn Moses is not the party leader from the people that own PEP. So I was left out in the cold. My people were also upset. And I have a big following in Kiambaa," Raymond said.
