• Laikipia deputy governor John Mwaniki said that he and governor Muriithi will defend their seat on the PNU ticket.
• He said that what has been reported by the media is misleading as the existing fight is friendly and healthy.
Image: Amos Njau
The Party of National Unity (PNU) has disowned ongoing reports that indicated there are infights between cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and Laikipia governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
The two were said to be fighting over the party leadership ahead of the August 9, elections.
Munya was elected PNU leader in October 2016 during the National Delegates Conference. His election was disputed by a section of officials.
This is after the Political Parties Dispute Resolution Tribunal nullified the dissolution of PNU.
In a gazette notice dated August 16, 2020, the Registrar of political parties, Lucy Ndung’u gazetted former President Mwai Kibaki as the Party of National Unity (PNU) leader.
It has now emerged that Muriithi is formally awaiting the National Delegates Conference to endorse him as the PNU boss.
Speaking during Mount Kenya West aspirants meeting at their offices, the Party officials said the reported fights are friendly and won’t affect the party.
Laikipia deputy governor John Mwaniki said he and governor Muriithi will defend their seat on the PNU ticket.
He said what has been reported in the media is misleading as the existing fight is friendly and healthy and that delegates are to decide on who should be the party leader.
Mwaniki added that they have shopped for PNU as the best party to unite Kenyans.
“I would like to put the records straight that there are no fights between Munya and governor Ndiritu Muriithi. What is being witnessed is a friendly contest that is healthy for the party. The party owners are here and they are the ones to decide,” Mwaniki said.
He called on Kenyans to support the party that bore the same ideology similar to that of former president Mwai Kibaki.
In the past interview, Muriithi refuted claims of him hijacking the leadership of the Party.
“Munya and I are all siblings raised in the Kibaki court of world view and values system. Whoever gets it with the approval of delegates and PNU membership will be in good to lead us,” Ndiritu said.
President Kibaki’s nephew Dr Joseph Maina Kiragu who is eyeing the Othaya Parliamentary seat has also echoed the Laikipia deputy governor sentiments.
He maintained that the party delegates are to decide on who is the best to be the party leader ahead of the August general elections.
“PNU is preaching peace as former president Kibaki would have wished and both Munya and Muriithi are friends and there are no fights," he said.
He revealed that the party officials will on Wednesday hold a meeting of aspirants from Mount Kenya East (Munya stronghold) and every leader is expected to attend.
“Kibaki is aware of everything happening in the party and we have his blessings to reach out to all Kenyans, ‘he said.
Deputy National organizing secretary Mr TM Kariuki has said the party is supporting former prime minister Raila Odinga as the best candidate to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
PNU deputy secretary-general Kelvin Kariuki called on members to follow party rules keenly and preach peace.