Mount Kenya Unity forum to drafts terms of engagement before joining a coalition

The Mount Kenya Unity Forum, which brings together several party leaders from the Mount Kenya region on Monday held a meeting at Serena hotel.

The group which is led by Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua, Mwangi Kiunjuri (TSP) and Moses Kuria (CCK) has been rallying the community to unite ahead of the August election.

Speaking during the meeting, Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua called on members to unite and speak in one voice.

He said that the group will hold another meeting to draft terms of engagement before joining a coalition with other partners.

He said that having their memorandum of understanding will help the Mount Kenya unity forum to have a clear picture of what they should get during the formation of the next government.

“We will meet in two weeks to draft our terms of engagement with other parties and this will help in bargaining,” Karua said.

Party officials of MKUF include Jacob Gitau (Peoples Party of Kenya) and Isaiah Gichu of the Party of Democratic Unity (PDU), former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti (Rebuild and Restore Party), Esau Kioni of the Democratic Party (DP), Mpuru Apuri (National Ordinary People Empowerment Union) and Thuo Mathenge (The New Democrats).

Others include Former Kiambu governor William Kabogo (Tujibebe Wakenya Party) and National assembly speaker Justin Muturi.

Former Agriculture Cabinet secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, William Kabogo, Justin Muturi, Thuo Mathenge and Moses Kuria didn’t attend the meeting but sent a representative.

Kuria has been missing in action because of the medical treatment he is receiving abroad after sustaining a third-degree burn on his feet.

The Peoples party of Kenya party leader, Jacob Gitau said that the meeting was successful and the group will continue uniting the people from Mount Kenya.

Gitau a close ally to Martha Karua said that the Mount Kenya unity is strong and leaders are working together to form a formidable force.

“The group is very strong and popular and we have agreed as leaders to end our differences and champion for the interest of our people, “he said.

Party of democratic unity (PDU) national chairman said Isaiah Gichu Ndirangu said that the unity of Mount Kenya is important ahead of August.

He called leaders from the region with political parties to join the group.

“We need to speak in one voice and leaders should come together irrespective of their political coalition, “he said.

Speaking to media last week on Friday, The Service Party (TP) leader Kiunjuri congratulated the MKUF secretariat for the initiative.

He refuted claims that the group is divided along the Kenya kwanza group led by William Ruto and Azimio by Raila Odinga.

 “We are very united, it only that, everyone is now busy campaigning and marketing their party, for example, I have been very busy receiving aspirants to the party as currently, I have more than 30 sitting MCAs and 15 MPs have joined the party and so to other party officials,” he said.