January 24, 2025

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Party of National Unity (PNU) eyeing Gov.Nderitu Mureithi to be party leader

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Is the Party of National Unity (PNU) eyeing Laikipia governor Ndiritu Mureithi to be the party leader ahead of 2022?

According to a reliable source who is a member of the NEC committee, some party organs say that already they have reached out to the governor and they are now awaiting confirmation.

Mureithi is nephew to former President Mwai Kibaki.

“Already there are plans to have Mureithi as party leader of Party of National Unity ahead of 2022 and what people should know is that Munya isn’t a party leader but just a member, “source said.

He clarified that CS Peter Munya has never served PNU as party leader but just as a member.

He said that People associate the party to Munya due to 2017 when he defeated his gubernatorial seat and lost it.

Peter Munya is Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative (Kenya).

Article 12 of the political party’s act bars office holder to serve in any party position.

Analysts have told the people daily that, the article in the constitution also barred Jubilee Secretary general to be appointed as cabinet secretary. He is a CS without a portfolio.

“A public officer shall not— (a) be eligible to be a founding member of a political party; (b) be eligible to hold office in a political party.

Also, the section states that a public officer shall not engage in political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of that person’s office, or (d) publicly indicate support for or opposition to any political party or candidate in an election.

The source said that the highest position within the PNU has been the position of the National chairman while that of party leader was reserved.

Nderitu Mureithi was in 2017 elected governor as an independent candidate.

He has been supporting the Jubilee administration.

A section of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s allies is quietly revamping the Party of National Unity that was used by former President Mwai Kibaki for his second term in 2007.

PNU is being rejuvenated as an alternative vehicle to the ruling Jubilee Party. However, those behind it are close associates of President Kenyatta and the revamp could be part of a wider plot to ring-fence the Mt Kenya vote bloc.

Secretary-general John Anunda in a past interview told the media that the outfit is set to undergo a major revamp, including all its organs, ahead of relaunch before the end of the year.

Anunda said, “PNU is seeking to grow and governors, senators, and members of Parliament will be part of the movement.”