National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has called on Central residents to support one big political party which has an identity in the region.
He said this would not only inspire respect but also enable regional leaders to have a platform to defend the interests of the region while on the negotiating table.
The Speaker said despite some of the renowned political parties in the country enjoying popularity from sections of the country,they too have regional identities and priorities.
The identities and priorities are about defending the needs of the respective regions where party owners come from.
“Every party grows from somewhere as they say ‘Charity begins at home’," he said.
"It’s success at the national level is not instant but is largely influenced by its performance at the regional level and, more so, where the party leader hails from.”
He proposed the Democratic Party, the outfit he shall use for his presidential bid.
The speaker said, as much as Jubilee Party is associated with the region because of President Uhuru Kenyatta, its ability to effectively deliver once the President exits office is questionable.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said it as unfortunate for some Mt Kenya region leaders to advocate for the folding of small parties in favour of big parties.
He said the action has now given the owners of the bigger parties an opportunity to exploit the Central region leaders, reducing them to ‘marketers and sales persons’ of their parties.
He cited the likes of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua and his Kiharu counterpart, Ndindi Nyoro, who are dutifully marketing UDA in Mt Kenya.
Muturi said politicians like Gachagua and Nyoro cannot negotiate on behalf of the region under UDA because the party has a leader who represents them.
The speaker further said this compromises the bargaining power of regional parties as well as limiting the chances of regional leaders to sit at the decision-making table.
He gave the example of Kenya Kwanza Alliance which comprises UDA, Ford Kenya and ANC .
“Let us put our house in order by uniting and shelving our personal interests and make one of our parties strong [enough to] help pursue the interests of the region.”
Muturi was speaking at a local hotel in Gichugu ,Kirinyaga county, where he was blessed by the Kiama Kia Ma council of elders to vie for presidency.
He said his party has been in existence for more than 30 years, and has had its fair share of glorious moments, particularly under the leadership of former president Mwai Kibaki, in an apparent clapback at critics.
The speaker thanked the elders for anointing him and giving him the blessing to go round the country in a vote-hunting mission.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
