Africa-Press – Kenya. Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has revealed infighting within the Deputy President William Ruto’s camp in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Speaking during an interview on Inooro TV on Sunday evening May 2, Kiunjuri said that the recent meeting between Ruto, Mt Kenya leaders and economic experts turned the politicians against each other.
“There are internal wrangles in UDA and recently I heard them accusing each other. Mukami (Nyeri Woman Rep) is accusing Rigathi (Mathira MP) of sidelining her in the meeting while in Nakuru, Kihika (Nakuru Senator) is in trouble for skipping the discussions,” Kiunjuri stated.
He also explained that his decision not to join the UDA party was so that he could have a backup plan in case it collapsed, adding that the Mt Kenya people needed a party to protect their interests.
“I am a supporter of the deputy president but I cannot join UDA. I decided to form TSP so that if ever UDA goes up in flames, I will tell my Mt Kenya people that I had foreseen,” Kiunjuri stated, adding that the vote-rich region needs to be united.
He noted that without a common party, Mt Kenya leaders could be ejected from UDA or other parties just as they were chased away from Jubilee.
Kiunjuri is one of the three politicians angling for a running mate position in Ruto’s camp, with his competitors being Rigathi and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.
Kuria’s meeting with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and KANU Secretary General Nick Salat last week left many questions unanswered.
Kuria was also notably absent during the recent meeting with Mt Kenya leaders despite also being an economist.
Like Kiunjuri, the Gatundu MP has established his own political outfit, The People’s Empowerment Party.
Ruto kicked off the meeting on Friday, April 30, with the aim of making inroads into Central Kenya as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure at the top comes to an end.
The DP promised to build on two fundamental principles he helped Uhuru to create in 2013 including transitioning the country from the shackles of ethnic mobilization to a new paradigm centered on an all-inclusive consensus.
