UDA swallows PEP in Kiambaa by-election as Moses Kuria withdraws candidate after meeting DP Ruto
Moses Kuria’s Peoples Empowerment Party (PEP) will not be fielding a candidate in the July 15 Kiambaa by-election.
Kuria made the announcement on Monday,May 24 after he allegedly had talks with Deputy President William Ruto in a move that will see Kuria’s PEP, abandon its candidature for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“PEP's message of hope.and renewal has been endorsed by the voters of Gaturi Ward in Muranga on 15th December, 2020 and Juja constituency on 18th May 2021.
"We wanted to present this message for approval by the people of Kiambaa Constituency on the 15th July. However this did not go down very well with my colleagues particularly Rigathi Gachagua and Kimani Ichungwa,” Kuria said
In a move that threatened to split the Hustler Nation, Kuria had earlier on turned down pleas from his allies at UDA not to field a candidate.
Instead, PEP had settled on Raymond Kuria as its flag bearer in the race to replace former MP Paul Koinange who died in March 2021.
In his announcement, Kuria said that his party is a member and stakeholder in the Hustler Nation alongside Johnson Muthama’s UDA, Mwangi Kiunjuri led The Service Party of Kenya (TSP) and Omingo Magara-led People Democratic Party (PDP).
“Whereas PEP is driven by our ordinary men and women, mostly the youth, our sister party UDA is largely driven by my colleagues the incumbent MPs whom I respect a lot. Both compliment each other,” Kuria said before stating the disagreement he had with fellow members of the Hustler Nation that made him change his mind on having PEP front a candidate in the Kiambaa by-election.
“PEP's message of hope.and renewal has been endorsed by the voters of Gaturi Ward in Muranga on 15th December, 2020 and Juja constituency on 18th May 2021.
"We wanted to present this message for approval by the people of Kiambaa Constituency on the 15th July. However this did not go down very well with my colleagues particularly Rigathi Gachagua and Kimani Ichungwa,” the Gatundu South MP said.
According to Kuria, PEP chose not to field a candidate in the Kiambaa by-election after talks with DP Ruto in order to cement unity within the Hustler Nation.
“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.
