Meru Governor Peter Munya has finally announced that he will use the Party of National Unity (PNU) to seek his re-election in 2017.
Mr Munya, who is also the Council of Governors chairman said he would be seeking the party leader’s slot in the upcoming delegates meeting to be held in Nairobi on September 9.
Mr Munya fell out with Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi after the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), through which he was elected, was folded up.
He has opposed the merger of parties, terming it a move to kill democracy.
The governor was APK’s director of elections and has accused Mr Murungi of folding up the party without consulting members.
“I have talked to leaders of this party and they have welcomed my idea of vying for the party leadership seat,” Mr Munya said.
He made the long-awaited announcement at Laare Health Centre during the cancer screening that has been taking place in most parts of the county.
Mr Munya said his decision to join PNU was informed by the fact that the party had a good track record and Kenyan had a lot of trust in it.
Former President Mwai Kibaki used the party to successfully vie for the presidency in 2007.
“We shall continue working with Kenyans to build the party which has a good tradition. We also want to set a tradition of building parties and not breaking them. This is what happens in United States of America where democracy has been established,” he said.
Mr Munya added, “Registering of a new party would not be good for us since our opponents might make it hard for its registration. This is why we have chosen an existing party which we will restructure to accommodate all Kenyans.”
In what seemed to be an attack on Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, Mr Munya said those in other parties should concentrate on them rather than interfering with other party issues.
He said the party would not have any presidential candidate in 2017 but will support Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
“I will however use the party for my 2022 presidential bid. President Uhuru should not be cheated by politicians. He should allow each and every contestant to fight it alone,” said Mr Munya.
