Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi/SCREENSHOTThe former Meru Governor stated that the Mbus Party is independent and will continue to make its own political decisions regarding the country’s political landscape without being tied to any coalition.
“The Bus Party is non-aligned. The Bus Party is autonomous. The Bus Party is independent,” declared Murungi on April 25.
The former minister emphasised that the party had neither entered into any pre-election nor post-election coalition agreement with Kenya Kwanza.
“We are currently not in any formal coalition with any political party. You know all those agreements and coalitions are registered with the Registrar of Political Parties. We have no agreement registered with the Registrar with any party,” he said.
“We don't have such an agreement with UDA, we don't have such an agreement with Narc Kenya, or any other party, for instance. So, we stand as an independent party, not part of any coalition as of now.”
In January, Kiraitu held talks with President Ruto at State House in what was seen as part of the efforts to consolidate the Meru region.
Kiraitu had launched a tirade claiming that the Meru region had been sidelined by the Kenya Kwanza government.
DEP Chairman and former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti echoed Kiraitu’s sentiments, revealing that the party has been systematically sidelined since the last general election.
“There has never been any signed agreement between our party and any other party. We may seem to work together with some parties occasionally, but we have not signed any formal agreement,” Kivuti stated.
This
declaration may further fuel the ongoing political realignment in the Mt. Kenya
region, just days after former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi
joined former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s camp.
The move, which follows the Democratic Party's exit from Kenya Kwanza a few months ago, further complicates the ruling coalition's efforts to maintain influence in the region.
The Kenya Kwanza camp is expected to face a significant test in the upcoming Mbeere North by-election, following the appointment of MP Geoffrey Ruku as Public Service Cabinet Secretary.
On April 25, the Mbus Party announced its intention to field a candidate in the Mbeere North by-election once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is fully reconstituted and election dates are announced.
“We shall leave no stone unturned to ensure our Bus Party wins the Mbeere North parliamentary seat during the by-election. We will consider collaborating with like-minded parties that respect and value us,” Kivuti affirmed.
