Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria launched a stinging attack at Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Party (UDA) and told him to brace for battle royale for the control of Mt Kenya region.

Kuria, who is the Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party leader, vowed to use his political outfit to give Ruto and his allies in Central Kenya a run for their money as he warned that most of the politicians rushing to join UDA would soon be disappointed after being rigged out in the nominations.

Kuria also claimed Ruto’s UDA had attempted to sabotage his homecoming event in Thika last Saturday in a bid to show his influence in the Mt Kenya region.

 Addressing thousands of his supporters who gathered at Thika Stadium in Kiambu County to welcome him, Kuria said the UDA leadership had conspired to derail his event and warned its officials and supporters not to attend, claiming it was going to be a ‘political arena.’

 “I had invited former Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando and (Kiharu MP) Ndindi Nyoro to be my masters of ceremony, but the UDA leadership claimed the occasion was meant to be political and told members not to attend. Shetani ashindwe! (Let the devil be defeated),” said Kuria.

Although the MP did not mention Ruto by name, the remarks appeared to be targeting the UDA presidential hopeful for whom Kuria has hitherto been an ardent ally of and defender.  At the event were Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua and Mwangi Kiunjuri of The Service Party (TSP) who similarly accused Ruto of harbouring dictatorial tendencies.

Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina ‘Jungle’ whose presence seems to send a message he may be running for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat on a CCK ticket having earlier ditched UDA after a brief stint in the party.

Kiambu Governor James Nyoro was also there to welcome Kuria “as a friend” but insisted that he is still firmly in Jubilee Party on whose ticket he is expected to defend the seat. Kuria told politicians clinging on to the DP’s party ahead of the August elections that they should be prepared for a big disappointment during the nomination process.

Village parties

 “I want to warn you that while our CCK party has been branded as village-based, the DP allied politicians will come running to us for support after they are rigged out during nominations,” he stated. He said his party was sure to bag a good number of elective positions including governors, senators, MPs and MCAs.

  Kuri urged the electorate to screen those seeking to represent them in various positions warning them against voting on euphoria or party lines.

While insisting he does not support Azimio La Umoja or Kenya Kwanza Alliance political divides, he also disclosed that there is a high possibility of Ruto and his political foe ODM leader Raila Odinga reconciling after August 9 polls.

“The two have worked together before and there is nothing that would hinder them from working together after President Uhuru Kenyatta leaves. This could plunge the Mt Kenya region into political oblivion,” said Kuria.

In the countdown to 2007 General Election, Ruto was one of the chief campaigners of Raila and as a member of the Pentagon, the top decision making organ of ODM. Karua said under the Mt Kenya Unity Forum, leaders will soon convene a meeting and in one accord agree who to support going forward based on what they will promise for the vote-rich region. While accusing Ruto of trying to return the country to the dark days of single party rule by asking other parties to dissolve and join UDA, the Narc-Kenya leader asked Kenyans to resist any attempts to kill multi-party democracy.  “It took us more than 20 years and huge sacrifices to fight for and achieve political pluralism and we cannot afford to lose this just for the whims of an individual,” Karua said.