Moments after the Azimio la Umoja runningmate Martha Karua departed from Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties, several leaders in the Coalition Party have raised concerns about the visit.
Speaking during the Meru tour, Martha Karua dismissed the Kenya Kwanza Coalition led by William Ruto as unfit to lead the country and implored the Mt Kenya region to back Raila Odinga’s bid.
She addressed rallies in Timau, Kiirua, Makutano, Kianjai, Muthara, Karma, Kangeta, Laare, Maua and Mikinduri towns, where she reiterated that only leaders in the Azimio coalition have a track record of defending the interests of Kenyans.
Karua and other leaders dismissed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader William Ruto’s growing influence in the region, saying the ground was gradually shifting towards Mr Odinga.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, Igembe North MP Maoka Maore and several other vocal leaders were conspicuously absent from the rallies.
Leaders and aspirants drawn from Jubilee, Devolution Empowerment Party (Mbus) and other Azimio affiliate parties have expressed their displeasure with CS Munya’s decision to exclude them from the meetings.
Addressing the Media on Thursday evening, the leaders said Agriculture CS Peter Munya and EALA MP Mpuru Aburi cannot deliver the Meru vote to Raila Odinga, having edged out all the other local leaders from the Coalition campaign activities.
“Munya should focus on his job and leave politics to politicians. If he thinks he will deliver the Meru vote by excluding every other Azimio leader, he is greatly mistaken.” says Jubilee Senatorial Aspirant James Mithika.
“We are not happy with his style of doing things. He decided not to involve the top Azimio leadership in Meru in organizing the meetings. Not even the Secretary General Maoka Maore or the County Governor were informed.” he adds.
According to the Mbus Party Executive Director Haron Abuana, Munya’s move has caused disunity within the Azimio Coalition in Mt. Kenya.
“We are saddened by Munya’s recent moves aimed at killing the Coalition from within. The Governor and other Azimio leaders and aspirants in Meru must be respected and involved in all campaign activities in the region.” he says.
On Wednesday this week, Governor Kiraitu accused CS Munya of secretly funding and supporting Kawira Mwangaza, his close rival in the Meru gubernatorial contest.
“We have information that Munya is funding Kawira’s campaigns in Meru. We know about the several hotel meetings they are doing in Nanyuki.” says Mr. Kiraitu.
The author is a Social Media Strategist, a Digital Media Expert with interest in Governance and Social Welfare.
