The Service Party (TSP) leader and Laikipia East parliamentary candidate, Mwangi Kiunjuri, says Deputy President William Ruto will beg for his support after the August 9 polls.
Speaking during a rally on Thursday, July 7, Kiunjuri accused the DP and his party - the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) - of disrespecting smaller parties in the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
He explained that he foresaw the need for post-election pacts after the August polls, stating that the next administration will have to enter into agreements with smaller parties to run the government smoothly.
"We have decided that our parties must go on. Those people who are despising us right now by saying that we are small parties will beg us on August 10.
"There is no one who will run the government on their own after winning. Whether it is former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, or Ruto, they will have to sign coalition pacts with smaller parties," Kiunjuri stated.
Further, he called out UDA for being a bully in the Mount Kenya region, stating that they were now more focused on popularising their parties individually.
He stated that his party will continue with its campaigns in the regions to ensure that it garners a majority of the seats.
"We must have respect among all the parties. Everyone who is vying has the potential of being elected. You are not god to decide who is going to be elected in a certain area or not.
"I want to ask all these other parties that are considered as big to respect us and allow us to campaign respectfully so that we can work together in Parliament. The incidents of disrespect we have witnessed must stop."
Kiunjuri has in the recent past differed with Ruto allies from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region over their calls for six-piece voting of UDA candidates.
In particular, the former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary and his party have openly criticised Mathira Member of Parliament and Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate, Rigathi Gachagua, for disrespecting the small parties.
The sibling rivalry in the Kenya Kwanza has also seen other Mount Kenya parties including Tujibebe Wakenya party of William Kabogo and Chama Cha Kazi of Gatundu South lawmaker, Moses Kuria, take a back seat in UDA campaigns in the region.
