Meru Governor Peter Munya has been slammed for giving Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi an Ajua game.
Speaking during a meeting at Mariene, Central Imenti, on Wednesday, Kiraitu said Munya should respect him because he mentored him.
“I am the one who taught Munya when he was a law intern. I admitted him in my law firm,” Kiraitu said.
“He is also like my in-law because he has married in our village, and he definitely knew her because of me. And I even attended his dowry ceremony and supported him.” Kiraitu said he is surprised at how arrogant Munya has become, despite campaigning for him in 2013.
“He cannot pick my calls. I recently heard he brought me an Ajua game. This world has many things, I will not get annoyed, I leave it all to God,” the senator said.
On June 10, Munya raided Kiraitu’s backyard where he campaigned for PNU candidates.
Munya held a PNU rally in Shabba Stadium, South Imenti, where he presented an Ajua game to residents, and told them to give it to Kiraitu.
He said Kiraitu will play the game when he retires on August 8.
Kiraitu said Munya has derailed development in Meru because he is a lone ranger and does not work with anyone.
“If I am elected governor I will work with all leaders in the county,” Kiraitu said.
Central Imenti MP Gideon Mwiti, who once backed Munya but shifted support to Kiraitu, said Munya will not get votes in South Imenti.
“There were a few people who would have voted for the governor, but when he presented the Ajua game he lost almost all the votes,” Mwiti said.
Independent senator aspirant Anderson Kathendu said the people of Imenti supported Munya in 2013.
“Instead of bringing development, four years since he assumed office, Munya has brought an Ajua game. That is very disrespectful and I am urging the people not to elect him again,” Kathendu said.
The meeting was also
attended by Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi who is running for senator, Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi, and leader of majority in the Meru assembly Ayub Bundi.
Ajua (named after the seeds used as game counters) is a popular gambling game in Western Kenya and is also played in Eastern Uganda.
It is a game of herdsmen prohibited to women although female researchers have been allowed to participate in Ajua matches. Ajua employs a wooden board about six feet long and 48 seeds of the wild orange tree.