Speaker Justin Muturi has lashed out at Deputy President William Ruto over his outbursts on formation of parties within Mt Kenya region.
Muturi said Kenya is a democratic country where one can join, vie and be voted despite party affiliation. He warned the DP to stop baptising people as tribal when they do not join his UDA party.
The Speaker was on Sunday hosted by former National Cohesion and Integration Commission member Gitile Naituli in Tigania East, Meru.
DP Ruto had termed other parties as tribal, asking Kenyans to vote UDA candidates.
The Speaker said intimidation from the second-in-command is equal to dictatorship.
“I will seek the presidency using Democratic Party which is a national party that has had coalition with ruling governments. Political parties should be given liberty to promote and sell their agendas to the people,” he said.
Muturi, who was coronated by Njuri Ncheke and Kikuyu elders as Mt Kenya spokesperson, said he is the best bet to correct bad leadership and revive the Kenyan economy.
He vowed to strengthen devolution by increasing funding to counties, if elected president.
Muturi said his agenda is to empower and uplift lives through quality education, roads network and health.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, his counterparts Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi) and Martin Wambora (Embu) who had declared their support to Muturi have abandoned him for ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The governors and Agriculture CS Peter Munya were among delegates who met in Chuka town and declared to rally support behind Raila.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
