Is Munya emerging new Meru Kingpin? – Weekly Citizen

Is cabinet minister Peter Munya becoming the new kingpin of Meru politics? Going by the current events on the ground and with governor Kiraitu Murungi 2017 campaign team at loggerheads, then Munya who has access to Uhuru Kenyatta at State House cannot be underrated in any terms whatsoever.

The last kingpin of Meru politics was the late Jackson Angaine who also occupied powerful ministries in the Jomo Kenyatta and Moi governments that he put to maximum use to help his community.

In fact, since the death on Angaine, Munya is being seen as the community’s leader.

It is said Uhuru is working on a strategy where Munya will be accommodated at the national level occupying a powerful position while Kiraitu remains the governor. The idea is to stop and split the Meru community by facing each other in 2022 governorship race as it happened in 2017.

Already, Meru Council of Elders has lauded the appointment of Munya as Agriculture cabinet secretary.

Njuri Ncheke elder Washington Muthamia said the Meru people were grateful to Uhuru Kenyatta for the recent appointments and reshuffle in cabinet.

Agriculture ministry is key and relevant across the country hence a plum docket for one to occupy.

Kiraitu

The council’s secretary-general Josphat Murangiri has also supported the appointment.

At the same time, Njuri Ncheke want Munya to call an urgent meeting of elders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi to end the border dispute between the two counties.

Speaking at the Nchiru shrine, the elders asked Meru county commissioner Allan Machari and his Tharaka Nithi counterpart Beverly Opwora to convene the meeting.

Njuri Ncheke chairman Linus Kathera said the border wrangles have created tension as some pupils cannot attend Gacibine Primary School in Tigania East after Tharaka residents protested against ongoing construction of a chief’s camp.

Tigania East CDF manager Lawrence Mutwiri has said the Sh850,000 office construction project must proceed because the site lies in Tigania East, Meru.

In 2007, Munya’s car was burnt at Thangatha Primary School. In April last year, Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi and his Tharaka Nithi counterpart Muthomi Njuki agreed to facilitate the fast-tracking of the issuance of title deeds in the area.

That Munya influence is growing day and night has already seen Meru leaders list four requests he should fulfill.

While at Nkubu, former North Imenti MP Silas Muriuki termed the department assigned to Munya as critical.

Reading the statement, Muriuki demanded that Munya should streamline the coffee marketing models in the country.

The former MP also asked Munya to facilitate installation of milk coolers in the nine constituencies of Meru.

On their third demand, the leaders called on Munya not to overlook the tea sector which they claimed has lately been paying farmers poor prices.