Some Igoki elders have disputed an earlier endorsement of Meru Woman Representative Kawira Mwangaza for governor.
Last week, some Igoki council of elders led by chairman Ken Uji said they have to support Mwangaza to avoid a curse from their former chairman Salecio Kanyau, who is deceased.
However another faction led by Uji's deputy Kaburu Maitima on Monday castigated the chairman saying they have no faith in him and appointed Lawrence Kigatiira as interim chairman of the council.
The elders from Governor Kiraitu Murungi's turf also endorsed Meru Senator Mithika Linturi and South Imenti MP Kathuri Murungi for governor and senator respectively.
An elder Jacob Matiiri said they are strongly opposed to Uji's remarks of a curse by the former chairman urging them to support Mwangaza's bid.
“It was not a good decision from Igoki council of elders. We were shocked by reports that elders endorsed Mwangaza to avoid a curse.
"We always make a common decision. Our stand is we will support and vote Linturi for governor and Murungi for senator,” he said.
Mwangaza is vying on an independent ticket while Linturi is under Deputy President William Ruto's UDA party.
Kigatiira said Kanyau’s curse was not an endorsement to Mwangaza.
He said it was because Mwangaza was the only aspirant vying against Kiraitu before his death.
“His wish and plan was to see Kiraitu defeated because he allowed Igoki people to suffer for long. Uji was wrong,” Kigatiira said.
Uji had said Kanyau cursed Kiraitu and directed that Igoki should shame the county boss by voting for Mwangaza in large numbers.
“For the last 15 years we have suffered a lot. We were issued with a division this year but we do not have an MCA.
"We had requested Kiraitu to give us the division years back but he deceived us. He brought an administrator a few days to the 2013 election and withdrew him after election," he said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
