In a new trending publication ‘Beyond Politics’, Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has revealed the secrets that preceded the night swearing-in of former President Mwai Kibaki after the contested 2007 polls.
Beyond Politics is a publication by veteran journalist Njeri Rugene with Mr. Murungi, and was launched at at Serena Hotel, Nairobi.
In attendance was National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Kiraitu’s wife Priscilla Murungi, CS Prof. Margaret Kobia among other leaders.
The Meru Governor served as the Minister for Constitutional affairs, and was following the results with President Kibaki at Statehouse.
Kiraitu recalls that President Mwai Kibaki maintained his calm demeanour even as results kept trickling in from KICC.
“I was with Kibaki at State House as the results were being tallied by the Electoral Commission of Kenya at KICC. We were following the proceedings on TV. As usual, looked very calm and composed. It was as if nothing major was happening,” Kiraitu revealed.
According to Governor Kiraitu, President Kibaki was willing to concede defeat if the electoral commission announced Raila as the winner of the contested 2007 elections.
The then-Attorney General Amos Wako gave President Kibaki’s team a go-ahead to prepare the swearing-in ceremony by 6 pm just thirty minutes after the results were released.
“Contrary to the propaganda that Kibaki was sworn in at night, he was sworn in before 6 pm. The constitution did not prescribe the place where the swearing-in should take place,” he retorted.
Kiraitu has further blamed ODM and Kivuitu for the violence that rocked the country afterwards. He has accused ODM of spreading propaganda that the elections were stolen.
While on the other hand, accusing Kivuitu of delaying releasing the results. He insists that Kibaki under the Party of National Unity (PNU) won the elections fair and square.
The author is a Social Media Strategist, a Digital Media Expert with interest in good Governance and Social Welfare. He is also a Mt. Kenya Youth Leader.
