Former Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri has revealed that he sacrificed the opportunity to be William Ruto’s running mate for the sake of Kikuyu unity.
Speaking on Sunday, August 15, Kiunjuri, who is the leader of The Service Party said there are a number of legislators from Mt Kenya region following Deputy President William Ruto blindly.
Mwangi Kiunjuri said that if he dissolves his party and joins Ruto’s UDA, he would also benefit from handouts and perks such as campaign choppers and a running mate position.
“In William Ruto’s government, the lowest slot I would get is a ministry position. So, our people in Mt Kenya must ask themselves whether Kiunjuri, who has been in politics for over 25 years, would be foolish enough to turn down a deputy president position,
“And instead, toil organizing the region into a political party – spending a lot of his time and money when he can easily get money and even choppers from Ruto,” Kiunjuri said.
The former CS went on to warn the Mt Kenya region of Ruto’s plans to incorporate them into UDA, saying it will be a big risk for the Kikuyu unity.
Despite his firm stand on keeping regional parties, Mwangi Kiunjuri assured that he still supports Ruto’s presidential bid.
His statement followed a similar opinion from Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.
Last week, Moses Kuria also warned against abolishing regional parties in Mt Kenya, saying that it would compromise the Kikuyu unity.
“I think it is unfair. It is the first time, in 30 years, we have agreed that we are not going to have someone on top of the ticket from this region,
“Now we agree to that and you want to deny us the chance of having a party? It is unfair, unacceptable,” Moses Kuria said.
