Cracks Deepen in Kenya Kwanza as Kiunjuri Opts for Solo Campaigns

 (l) enjoy a hearty moment at Thiru Secondary School, Laikipia West, Laikipia County on February 22, 2020.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri (Left) and President William Ruto pictured at Thiru Secondary School, Laikipia County on February 22, 2020.

Cracks continue to widen in the Kenya Kwanza alliance after The Service Party (TSP) leader, Mwangi Kiunjuri, announced that his party will conduct solo campaigns.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, May 24, Kiunjuri claimed there is blatant favouritism of parties in the coalition, arguing that 'small parties' from the Mount Kenya region have been ignored.

Kiunjuri accused the coalition of allegedly sidelining his party during campaigns, further stating the coalition was being dishonest about its support for TSP which officially joined the front on April 12.

TSP Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri and former Igembe North Member of Parliament  Joseph M'Eruaki on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
TSP Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri and former Igembe North Member of Parliament Joseph M'Eruaki on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Courtesy

"Common sense dictates that when you are in a coalition, you need to work as a team. You cannot pretend in the day that you are in a coalition and at night you are not," he stated.

The former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary opined that the battle for supremacy and the zoning of elective areas between affiliate parties posed a threat to the candidature of Deputy President William Ruto.

"The emerging conflict, sibling rivalry, protection of territory and attention seeing are of concern because this could easily resort to unwanted consequences for our presidential candidate if not well managed," he added.

However, he clarified that he will still campaign for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader's election as president.



Kiunjuri, who served for 15 years as the Member of Parliament for Laikipia East, added that he will rally behind his party's aspirants in the Governor, Senator, Woman Representative, Member of Parliament and Member of County Assembly contests.

TSP adds to the list of constituent parties that have lamented about favouritism in Kenya Kwanza, accusing UDA of being a bully.

On May 15, Kakamega Senator, Cleophas Malala, claimed that the DP's party was frustrating Amani National Congress (ANC) leader, Musalia Mudavadi, and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula's quest to deliver 70 per cent of the Western Kenya vote to Kenya Kwanza.

"We have already given UDA the top two positions, but please, Mheshimiwa Ruto, do not interfere with our bedroom because these seats mean a lot to us. Let us respect each other because, after the election, Ruto will stand aside with his numbers and so will Mudavadi," stated Malala.

"We do not want them to start saying they will not give us our share of the government because we failed to get 70 per cent in Western. We cannot get that 70 per cent if we do not have our own MPs."

In the Coast region, Malindi Member of Parliament and Ruto's ardent supporter, Aisha Jumwa, picked a fight with outgoing Kilifi governor, Amason Kingi, accusing him of trying to convert the county into a Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) zone.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala addressing a crowd in a past rally on February 26, 2022
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala addressing a crowd in a past rally on February 26, 2022
Cleophas Malala
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