Over 10 parties to endorse Wa Iria for president

More than 10 political parties are expected to endorse Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria as their presidential candidate on Thursday.

The parties include People’s Party of Kenya, Party of Democratic Unity, Kenya Patriots Party, People’s Empowerment Party and Kenya Social Progress Party.

Others are Party of Independent Candidates, Alternative Leadership Party, National Party of Kenya, Grand Dream Development party and Liberal Development Party.

The parties are expected to attend Wa Iria’s Usawa Kwa Wote party National Delegates Conference that will be held at KICC.

Wa Iria, who has given both Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza alliances a wide berth,  said he will solidify the Mt Kenya region behind him.

The two-time governor also said the region has enough votes to push any leader to the presidency in the August 9 polls. 

After the NDC, Wa Iria is expected to hit the ground seeking votes across the country.

The party, he said, will ensure the rich-poor gap is closed as its objective is to bring equality to all Kenyans.

Wa Iria previously pledged to ensure all rural homes living in poverty are provided with dairy cows to boost their income.

Two months ago, Wa Iria started the issuance of cheques to small-scale traders to help them boost their businesses.

His county consolidated more than 40,000 small traders into Wachuuzi Sacco to empower them.

Should he be elected, Wa Iria pledged to have similar programmes replicated countrywide.

Usawa Kwa Wote secretary general Karugu Mbugua said the main agenda of the conference is for party members to endorse Wa Iria to vie for the presidency.

“The party has been undertaking its activities quietly and has been focusing on recruiting members. Everything is set to ensure Wa Iria is nominated as the party’s candidate,” he said.

Karugu said the parties will attend the NDC as friends of the governor, saying Wa Iria has no intention of forming pre-election coalitions.

National Elections Board chairperson Wairagu Kiemo said the party enlisted more than 1,400 aspirants who will vie for various political seats.

The highest number, he said, is for MCA aspirants even though it still has candidates for governor, senator and MPs positions.

“This is an indication that our party is doing very well,” he said.

In the region, only Wa Iria and the National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi have declared their presidential ambition.

It is also expected that either Azimio la Umoja or Kenya Kwanza  will pick their deputies from the vote-rich region as a way of wooing residents. 

(edited by Amol Awuor)