Kiraitu-led party vows not to be auctioned

 Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) will not field presidential candidate in 2022 polls.

Party leader Kiraitu Murungi has disclosed that the party will in three months time announce who it will back as presidential candidate from other political parties.

Speaking during the party's relaunch in Embu town, Mr Murungi said the party will give Mt. Kenya East bargaining powers in the coming August 9 elections other than being a basket filler.

Kiraitu who is also the Meru Governor said DEP party will only rally Mt. Kenya East into supporting a presidential aspirant who will guarantee them development interests saying that Mt. Kenya East deserves to be respected in the political dispensation and sharing of national resources.

The governor cried foul on President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Deputy President William Ruto saying that they convinced him in 2016 to spearhead the folding of 13 political parties to form Jubilee Party so that he could become chairperson of the ruling party a deal that never was.

Murungi said that after the launch of Jubilee Party at the Moi International Sports Centre, the then known as Kasarani Stadium, he was dodged by Kenyatta and Ruto and none of them wanted to hear the promise they had given him of becoming the chairman of Jubilee Party.

Neglected by Jubilee Party

The first term governor said that the vote-rich region of Mt. Kenya East has for a long time been neglected by Jubilee administration when it comes to sharing of the national cake and in development projects.

The party's chairman who is also Embu gubernatorial aspirant and Lenny Kivuti urged Mt Kenya East not to accept any division by any leader but secure their votes to have bargaining power.

Kivuti said the Bus party will not be folded into another party because that is how they were cheated in 2016 and ended up loosing focus.

"DEP is here until when Jesus comes. We will not sell our Bus to anybody. We will move on as BUS," said Kivuti.

Kivuti said that he will spearhead activities in Embu at the polling stations so as popularize the party and bond with his electorates as he will be campaigning.

He urged all 2022 political aspirants in Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Isiolo counties to join Devolution Empowerment Party terming it as the only sure bet to those seeking elective positions.

During the ceremony, several leaders from Embu who had dedicated their allegiance to other parties made U-turn and boarded the BUS party.

Runyenjes Central MCA Steve Simba who has been supporting UDA party switched to DEP among other leaders.

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI