Former Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has sharply criticised his tanga tanga colleagues for purporting to negotiate for Mt Kenya region as succession politics hots up.
In what appears as an escalation of the crisis in the political formation allied to Deputy President William Ruto, Kiunjuri a key member was singing a different tune when he appeared in a late night television show.
He said he had flatly declined to concede to demands by Ruto to fold his TSP party and join the United Democratic Party (UDP) that is associated with the DP.
Kiunjuri further revealed that tanga tanga was in big turmoil with infighting escalating daily as each MP from Mt Kenya tries to catch the eye of the DP so as to be appointed running mate in 2020 general elections.
“There is noise everywhere, you hear lots of complaints. I cannot dissolve my party because the same people have been chased from Jubilee, we can also be chased from UDA. I have to have my own party,” said Kiunjuri.
He also dismissed claims that Mt Kenya has no parties saying parties like the National Party of Unity (PNU), the Democratic Party (DP) and his TSP are there to serve the people.
Kiunjuri endorsed President Uhuru’s statement in Sagana State Lodge last year where the Head of State said proper negotiations will be held to determine the stake for Mt Kenya after he leaves power at the end of his term.
He sharply rebuked his colleagues in tanga tanga who went for a retreat with Ruto purporting to negotiate for the region, saying it should have been Ruto seeking Mt Kenya support.
Echoing the same sentiments aired by Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, Kiunjuri said it was wrong for some MPs who are already diding with Ruto to approach him pretending to negotiate.
Kiunjuri likened Mt Kenya to a beautiful bride whose marriage should follow proper channels.
He said a serious bride cannot negotiate from the groom’s house when she is already pregnant.
A retreat by tanga tanga MPs alleged to clinch a political deal with Ruto in a possible Ruto government has been heavily criticised in Mt Kenya with the MPs being described as self seekers driven by personal interests.
