The secret meeting between Meru county legislators with William Ruto at his Karen home has raised speculations as to whether the DP has lost the support of the region that voted overwhelmingly for Jubilee in the 2013 and 2017 elections.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi
The question many are asking is why the legislators, who hitherto were vocal supporters of the DP’s 2022 presidential ambitions, chose to sneak into his residence incognito.
It is to be recalled that not so long ago, the DP irked the community when he singled out one of their prominent sons George Kinoti, the Director of Criminal Investigations, for removal for allegedly being used by external and internal forces to nail his allies in the corruption war.
Ruto publicly accused Kinoti of being used to undermine mega Jubilee projects under the guise of fighting corruption.
In a bare-knuckle attack, the DP claimed the DCI had been sucked into a political schemes and strategy to undermine the implementation of major development projects and in the end scuttle Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy by making it impossible to deliver pre-election pledges.
His sentiments were loudly supported by embattled Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu and senate majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen, who told the DCI to focus on fighting robberies, crimes and anti-banking fraud and leave the war on graft to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Senator Linturi
Ruto claimed Kinoti had an ulterior motive in scandalising construction of dams in Rift Valley on claims that Sh21 billion had been lost in suspicious payments.
The DP said the dams were targeted because they are the driving engines of industrialisation under the so-called big four agenda.
The DP’s remarks made at Kapng’etuny Primary School in Kericho county during a thanksgiving ceremony for Ainamoi MP Sylvanus Maritim saw 12 MPs from Jubilee, ODM and Wiper parties warn him against threatening the DCI and interfering with his work.
According to sources, Ruto’s remarks did not go down well with the Merus who hold Kinoti in high esteem and they feared he wanted their man sacked.
Among those who came to the defence of the DCI is Uhuru Kenyatta, who warned Ruto and his allies against politicising the war on graft, saying investigative agencies should be left to do their work.
“It is not me … corruption has been identified as a stumbling block..again there is no politics there..let us allow the agencies to do their work.. let us not turn this to community fights, into individual fights,” Uhuru mumbled.
Kindiki
Speaking at State House, Uhuru said corruption must be dealt with whether we like it or not.
“You will hear that so and so is being targeted…we must deal with corruption and the fact is that whether we want to accept it or not, it exists.. why don’t we fix it instead of politicking … jameni…,” he went on.
An angry Uhuru said he does not want corruption to be used to victimise somebody but benefit the people of Kenya.
“Let us come together…. please let this be an agenda that we move away from in weddings and funerals… the answer is on us talking to one another,” he said.
“We can compete in a civilised manner, recognising that after competition nobody is leaving Kenya… when we say we are reaching out, how do you expect me to say I am governing if I don’t reach out to people?”
Ruto’s remarks backlash from the Meru community and the rebuke by the president explains why the 10 Meru legislators sneaked into his residence.
Dawood
Those who met the DP included Senator Mithika Linturi and MPs Kathurima Murungi (South Imenti), Moses Kirima (Central Imenti), Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Halima Mucheke (nominated), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), John Mutunga (Tigania West), Josphat Gichunge (Tigania East), Kubai Iringo (Igembe Central) and John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South).
Igembe North MP Maore Maoka and woman representative Kawira Mwangaza, who have not attended past unity meetings of Meru legislators, were absent.
The meeting came at a time Baringo senator Gideon Moi has upped his campaigns for the presidency in the region.
Gideon months back joined a team opposed to DP’s presidential bid and popularly known as Tangatanga, in a visit to Meru.
Industrialization CS Peter Munya
Gideon joined MPs Maina Kamanda, Maoka Maore, Gladys Wanga, Mercy Gakuya, William Kamket and former MP Silas Muriuki who all hailed him as a leader without blemish who was the best suited to assume leadership.
In the meeting, the leaders intensified calls for a referendum.
It was also at the meeting that Gideon said he was relying on his father retired president Daniel Moi’s network as he launched his bid for a high office.
Maore
He said his father always introduces him to his trusted friends spread across the country and ensures he maintains contact.
Addressing the faithful at Runogone Methodist Church in Imenti North constituency, Meru county, Gideon said his father always enquired where he was going so as to offer guidance.
Back to the Ruto, Meru MPs meeting, word on the ground is that the legislators made the suspicious visit with fears of a backlash from their constituents and came after the president’s warning against politicking for the sake of development.
Since the 2017 polls, the deputy president has made countless forays to Meru and neighbouring Tharaka Nithi disguised as launching development projects.
With over 1 million registered voters, the greater Meru region that includes Tharaka Nithi is a magnet attraction to all the 2022 polls presidential aspirants.
As of now, the deputy president is the most popular presidential aspirant in the region, though others are slowly making inroads.
However, Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi, one of the political kingpins in the larger Meru, says Ruto should not expect automatic backing from the Mt Kenya region, especially the Meru people.
Speaking during a church fundraiser in Buuri, Meru, the county boss said the DP will have to explain himself to the people and tell them his plans to earn their backing.
He added that Meru residents will put their interests first and demand more if they are to back the DP, arguing the region already seems forgotten by the Jubilee government.
“Politics is about taking care of your interests and we will not approach it foolishly. Ruto is our friend, but as Meru people, he will need to sit with us and tell us what is there for us. We hear of water dams worth billions of shillings but here, there is only a sewerage project worth Sh1 billion,” said the governor.
His sentiments were echoed by Chuka Igamban’gombe MP Patrick Munene, who warned that the widening rift in the region might weaken the region’s say in the 2022 polls.
Patrick Munene
This came as leaders aligned themselves with different groupings within the ruling Jubilee Party, as others push for the formation of new parties.
But other leaders from Mt Kenya East have vowed to rally behind Ruto in the 2022 general election. Speaking during the launch of the Tharaka Bible in Marimanti, the leaders in presence of Ruto said the deputy president hasthe energy and will-power to transform Kenya.
They included Tharaka Nithi senator Kithuri Kindike.
Last year the DP held a late night meeting with local leaders after a daylong tour of the region during which he inspected development projects. He was escorted during the tour by Kindiki.
The night meeting was attended by MCAs from Meru, Murungi, Kindiki, and MPs from the county.
While expressing their support for Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid, the leaders said the DP should return the favour by ensuring the development projects, including roads and piped water, pledged by the Jubilee administration are delivered.
The support was also on condition Ruto picks his running mate from the Meru community, Kindiki and Trade CS Peter Munya having been mentioned as possible candidates,
Munya has, however, said he is not interested in being anyone’s running mate as he is focused on delivering on the government’s development agenda
