Infighting in Deputy President William Ruto‘s political camp has taken a new twist after People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) announced it will be facing off with its sister party United Democratic Alliance in any forthcoming by-election and next year’s polls.
The Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria’s allied party regretted its decision to withdraw from Kiambaa by-elections but said they have now learnt from their mistake.
Officials of the party led by Kuria, Frederick Nyaga, Stephen Muriungi and Robert Mwenda, apologised to delegates for its decision but vowed to take on UDA party in the upcoming by election in Kiagu Ward, Meru County, where the seat was left vacant after the death of MCA Eunice Karegi.
In a meeting that brought together PEP county coordinators across the country, the party also said it would field candidates in next year’s poll without compromising the party position and that they will only support Ruto in his quest for Presidency.
“After the party withdrew from Kiambaa mini polls, members and candidates who wished to support our party had developed fears but it won’t happen again. We want Kenyans to decide in a free and fair polls,” Mwenda announced.
Kuria was at pains to explain to delegates that he was never coerced or bribed by UDA to pull out his candidate in Kiambaa mini polls.
“I took the decision to pull out from Kiambaa alone. I felt shattered but I made up my mind just for the respect, but it will never be repeated,” he pledged to the delegates.
He also regretted that even after pulling out from the race, some UDA members were still throwing tantrums at him and his party maintaining that he had sacrificed enough not to field candidates in Muguga and Rurii wards despite investing in polls on who was the most preferred candidate.
Kuria also revealed that there were no negotiations between his party and UDA in Juja by-election, saying they made up their mind to field a candidate after UDA decided not to field one.
“If there is anyone who claims to have helped us, let them stop assisting us in future, we can’t be the only good party here,” Kuria added.
UDA’s Secretary-General Veronicah Maina had intimated that they helped Kuria in Juja mini polls.
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