URP presidential candidate William Ruto efforts to woo Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi and drive his Bus to state house were on Thursday thwarted.
The Alliance party of Kenya founder Kiraitu Murungi instead declared his support for Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential bid ahead of the general elections.
The Eldoret North MP early this week while in his three day campaign tour in Meru and Tharaka Nithii counties, called for the South Imenti legislator to allow him seat on the steering wheel and drive the bus to state house.
The call seemed to target the over 1.5 million votes from the two counties after Ruto promised the community that he is ready to work with the Minister for the benefit of the Meru people and Kenyans at large.
However Kiraitu’s move to endorse the TNA presidential flag bearer has received heavy criticism from a section of MPs from the region and APK Party leaders.
Mps, Silas Muriuki who is also the APK Meru County chairman and his Tigania East counterpart Peter Munya said Kiraitu Move was personal since he did not consult the National party organ and supporters.
“I cannot believe Kiraitu can handle the party like a personal property since he did not involve the party organ in making the decision,” said Muriuki.
“It’s unfortunate I was not informed and as a party supporter I needed to be consulted before the signing of the agreement. I knew there was that kind of talk but then the party National organ was to accent the agreement basing on the benefits of the MOU.So I don’t think if this is official,” said Munya on phone from Uganda.
While speaking to the media Nithii MP Kareke Mbiuki said Energy Minister had no option but join the winning team noting Meru County is Pro. Uhuru.
Kareke said the South Imenti legislator sensed political displacement after realizing the Mt. Kenya votes are all consolidated on Uhuru’s basket.
Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara also lamented that Kiraitu is desperately seeking a political straw to prevent inevitable consequences of his unpopularity in Meru County.
“Abandoning his bus that he constructed to form a coalition with TNA and support Uhuru Kenyatta simply proves his lack of courage and leadership competence to drive the bus by himself,” noted Gitobu.
Speaking, several aspirants seeking national and county level elective seats on TNA tickets, welcomed the move saying the grand coalition will strengthen the G7 outfit to win against a common enemy.
Led by Tigania West and South Imenti parliamentary aspirants, David Karithi and Mutuma Nkanata respectively, the aspirants also called on other presidential contenders allied to G7 William Ruto, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi to follow suit and join the coalition.
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