Uncertainty mars Ruto’s return to Murang’a this Friday

Wangari Njuguna and Njange Maina

Uncertainty is surrounding the Deputy President William Ruto’s visit in Murang’a on Friday as Saccos whose fundraiser he is supposed to grace, distance themselves from the events.

The Deputy President is expected to visit Kangema and Mathioya constituencies for an “empowerment program for boda boda and a women Saccos”.

In the supposed visit, the DP is to be hosted by Members of Parliament (MPs) Alice Wahome(Kandara) and Ndindi Nyoro(Kiharu).

Mathioya MP Peter Kihara who ordinarily, should be the host, said Ndindi Nyoro informed him about the meeting on Tuesday.

“My Kiharu colleague informed me about the meeting yesterday and so, I will attend as an invitee. I was invited into my own constituency,” he said.

Murang’a County Police Commander Josphat Kinyua said they are yet to give a green light over the meetings pointing out that they are verifying their authenticity.

Kinyua said there appears to be a conflict between the management of the Saccos and its members over the event as there are some areas yet to be addressed.

He said they are liaising with the cooperative department to know the actual conveners of the meeting and if the due process was followed.

“We could be having cartels of other interested parties hiding under the cover of the Saccos who want to get this money” he said.

“We are not opposed to the meeting but the right process has to be followed as dictated by the law,” he added.

The officials of the Mathioya Women Sacco which is purportedly holding the funds drive claim that they are not aware of the event and thus they are not in charge.

Adijah Wanjiru, the chair lady to the Sacco said she was shocked to see a poster doing rounds on social media yet they have not planned for such an event.

“The meeting is not known to us unless there are other women group bearing the same name like ours” she said.

Benard Wanyoike, the County Cooperative officer said no Saccos have applied for such event and should the event be held is shall be against the law.

Wanyoike said for a Sacco to hold a fundraiser, it should call for a special general meeting for the members to approve which should be documented.

“We have not received any minutes from the Saccos indicating that they would like to have a funds drive,” he said.

The officer said the Saccos are regulated by the law and they are treated like financial institutions.

He however warned that some people could be attempting to use them as political entities which is not acceptable.

“We have to be firm on these laws and not allow the Saccos to be taken over by politicians because they are going to collapse,” he remarked.

This will be Ruto’s second visit in Murang’a this month after the previous visit in Kenol on October 4 turned chaotic where two people lost their lives.

MPs Wahome and Ndindi have vowed to take the DP to any part of the county despite much resistance from other leaders who have been accused the latter of disrespecting the President.

The leaders among them area Governor Mwangi Wa Iria said they shall be attending to all the meetings where the DP will be hosted in the county.

On Tuesday, the council of eminent persons from the Murang’a expressed their concerns that the county has been turned into a political battle field and thia is ruining the its image.

Led by its chairman Joseph Kibe the members said the hostility and intolerance exhibited by the leaders and their supporters is causing unrest among the locals.

Additional reporting by Njange Maina