Opposition leaders in Meru County have become embroiled in a political supremacy battle that now threatens to disrupt a series of planned political rallies in the region.
Peter Munya, the leader of the Party of National Unity (PNU), and Mithika Linturi, the National Coordination Secretary of the Democratic Change Party (DCP), have intensified their rivalry as preparations for a five-day opposition tour in Meru and Isiolo County gather momentum.
The meetings, scheduled to run from Thursday to Monday, had initially been postponed last month following nationwide protests against rising fuel prices.
Mr Munya announced that opposition leaders including Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa would join him during the rallies aimed at strengthening the opposition’s influence in the region.
However, Mr Linturi accused Mr Munya of using images of DCP leaders on campaign posters to attract crowds.
He also distanced himself from the meetings, saying that despite being the chief coordinator of DCP activities, he had no knowledge of the rallies being promoted by PNU.
“As the National Coordination Secretary of DCP, I have been alerted about a poster being circulated claiming to mobilize crowds on behalf of a certain political group that lacks significant influence. We are unaware of those meetings and our schedule is already occupied with other activities,” Mr Linturi said in a statement posted on Facebook.
He urged DCP supporters to ignore the advertisements, adding that while PNU was free to conduct its political activities, it should not mislead Meru residents by using images of leaders from other parties.
Speaking to Taifa Leo yesterday, Mr Linturi said his party had resolved not to participate in meetings organized by PNU because Mr Munya himself does not attend DCP events.
“In my view, Munya and I are political competitors. We only agree on the call for the president to serve a single term. Meru is a DCP stronghold and we will not allow him to use our party to build his political career. We will protect our territory from any political invasion,” said Mr Linturi.
The former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary further stated that he intends to politically sideline Mr Munya, as both are expected to contest for the Meru governorship in 2027.
“Munya likes operating alone and has no interest in working with other leaders. That is why he is not fit to be the Governor of Meru,” he added.
Last month, Mr Linturi had also opposed the rallies and advised DCP supporters not to attend before the events were postponed due to the fuel price protests.
On his part, Mr Munya dismissed Mr Linturi’s remarks, insisting that the meetings had been organized by senior leaders within the opposition coalition.
“As the leader of PNU, I am a member of the Opposition Coalition’s Top Leaders Committee. We discuss these matters at that level. I am the host of the other opposition leaders and I have the authority to speak about the plans for these rallies. Others trying to comment should wait for direction from their party leaders,” said Mr Munya.
The political hostility between the two leaders has escalated in recent days, with the pair exchanging sharp words during a funeral ceremony held in Tigania West.The deadly question that kenyans still ask is when will we have mature politicians
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