Meru Deputy Governor (left) and Senator Mithika Linturi (right) during a prayer breakfast for leaders in CITAM church in Meru.
By Rugendo Antony
Meru Deputy Governor hints at possibility of Linturi battling Kiraitu for gubernatorial seat
Worth Noting:
- “Linturi is my political and social friend and we wanted him to seek re-election for the senatorial seat. However, if he has decided to run for the gubernatorial seat we have no problem with it,” Ntuchiu said.
- The Meru Deputy argued that his boss is being coerced to join various political outfits linked with the presidential candidates. He however refrained from mentioning the name of the parties pressuring Mr Kiraitu.
- “Kiraitu has been coerced to join other parties but we have decided to build and strengthen our DEP party first,” Ntuchiu said.
As the political landscape in the country is taking shape ahead of the August 8th polls, the race for gubernatorial seat seems to be heating up with Meru senator Mithika Linturi hinted to be warming up for the contest.
Linturi, who is an ally to Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA party, has been hinted as the party’s option warming up on the sideline to join the race to unseat the Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi who Ruto’s ally say has taken too long to make a decision on the presidential candidate he is backing.
Sources who sought anonymity noted that UDA has been calling on the Meru Governor to join their camp but instead he asked for time to cogitate before making a move.
Possibility of Linturi joining the gubernatorial race seems to be quaking Kiraitu’s camp who had already expressed relief after the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary and Former Meru Governor Peter Munya exit from the contest.
Confirming to be aware of the possibility of facing a new entrant in the gubernatorial race Meru Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu said their camp is alert of the move made by UDA.
“Linturi is my political and social friend and we wanted him to seek re-election for the senatorial seat. However, if he has decided to run for the gubernatorial seat we have no problem with it,” Ntuchiu said.
The Meru Deputy argued that his boss is being coerced to join various political outfits linked with the presidential candidates. He however refrained from mentioning the name of the parties pressuring Mr Kiraitu.
“Kiraitu has been coerced to join other parties but we have decided to build and strengthen our DEP party first,” Ntuchiu said.
The Meru Deputy Governor was speaking during a prayer breakfast for leaders at Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) Church, a function that was also attended by the Meru Senator among other leaders.
Ntuchiu took time to drum up support for his boss citing various projects and development achieved by their government under their leadership.
“Let pray that the residents will elect leaders of integrity and values. Evaluate us on the basis of what we have done in the last five years,” Ntuchiu said.
On his side, Linturi who is yet to declare his interest in the battle for the county’s top seat used his time to drum up support for the UDA party and castigate their presidential competitor Raila Odinga.
Linturi’s name has featured prominently in public and social media platforms as one of the county’s top brains likely to give Mr Kiraitu sleepless nights ahead of the August election.
Should he throw his hat in the ring, the Meru Senator will be competing against the incumbent Meru Governor Mr Kiraitu and the Woman Representative Kawira Mwangaza.
As the Senator, Linturi is the third most powerful leader in Meru County after Mr Kiraitu and the Agriculture CS Peter Munya. His possible candidature has generated debate among Meru residents.
The Meru senator has however stayed mum about the gubernatorial race with people close to him saying that the Deputy President has asked him to vie for the seat.
Linturi has been instrumental in the formation of the County leadership and the national government.
Igembe residents, where the senator comes from, also have been pressuring him to go for the gubernatorial seat arguing that it is their time to rule the County after the regime of Munya who hails from Tigania and Kiraitu who hails from Imenti region.
The Meru senator is expected to declare his candidature on Sunday during a rally rumored to take place at Maili Tatu in Igembe region.
Linturi is said to have made up his mind to run and unseat the Meru governor in the August election.
However, sources say that the Meru senator may hold his horse for a few days awaiting the Meru Governor to announce his preferred presidential candidate. Mr Kiraitu said on Thursday that he would announce his preferred candidate on March 18 arguing that he has been making meticulous deliberations and calculations to ensure that the Meru community does not fall in opposition.
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