Cracks in UDA Deepen After Kimani Ngunjiri Endorses Lee Kinyanjui

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Senator Susan Kihika (right) condoles with the family of Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri during the burial of the MP's brother in Nakuru on June 17, 2019
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The rivalry between Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika and Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri seemingly escalated after the latter endorsed incumbent Governor Lee Kinyanjui in the upcoming August 9 poll. 

Speaking during an event in Bahati on Wednesday, June 1, Ngunjiri told the residents that the power was in their hands to elect the preferable candidate who is development-oriented. 

While closing his remarks, the legislator urged Nakuru residents to re-elect Lee Kinyanjui's administration- and edge out Kihika's bid to succeed the governor in the upcoming election.

Deputy President William Ruto and Senator Susana Kihika in Nakuru County on February 11, 2022.
President William Ruto and Governor Susan Kihika in Nakuru County on February 11, 2022.
Courtesy Susan Kihika

"Have they forced you to elect them? You know the type of leader to choose and the best person to continue developing the region. The answer for Nakuru is Lee and here in Bahati it is Kimani Ngunjiri," he stated much to the applause of the crowd. 

Kihika, on the other hand, did not take too kindly to Ngunjiri's words as she urged her supporters from Bahati constituency to send the legislator home. 

"What did that person from Bahati say? If that is how it is going to be, then my Bahati supporters know what they ought to do. This time around the old man should go home," she stated in a statement posted hours later. 

The rivalry between the two United Democratic Alliance (UDA) affiliates has spiraled over the recent past as efforts to reconcile the two have hit a snag. 

The Senator has accused Ngunjiri of being indecisive about which camp he belongs to, calling him out for betraying his colleagues on many occasions including voting for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that the UDA brigade was against. 

"One also needs a little intelligence when spreading propaganda. Kimani is peddling lies just to get the attention of someone he ran up and down the streets insulting a few months ago (Uhuru). Didn’t he just vote yes for the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 (BBI) that he campaigned against for the last two years?"

"Who would dare trust this man who blows hot and cold every other day? For me it spells an unreliable, character who switches sides depending on where his bread is being buttered that evening," Kihika stated during a past event. 

Ngunjiri, on the other hand, pointed out that the only reason Kihika battled against Kinyanjui's administration was to get back at Uhuru. 

"My friend, politics is not about you but Nakuru residents. We want to respect the President and allow him to drink tea at the State House with his successor. How can you disturb the President's peace? Try and you will see my wrath as I won't allow Nakuru residents to be divided," he stated. 

File image of Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri with Deputy President William Ruto.
File image of Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri with Deputy President William Ruto.