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The Service Party, TSP leader Mwangi Kiunjuri appeared before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, to dissect his proposed amendment to the IEBC Act, in a proposed Bill dubbed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The Bill according to Kiunjuri seeks to introduce a raft of amendments that if passed by parliament would help to resolve population inequalities within constituencies ,that according to him undermines the requirements for universal suffrage based on the aspiration for fair representation and equality of the vote.

‘’Fundamental to realisation of this principle and to resolving inequalities in constituency sizes in Kenya is the recognition that the equal opportunity to cast a vote – which is fully realised in Kenya- can mean very little if the strength of that vote is not equal. Critical to fair constituency boundary is the fact that even though the Constitution permits other factors-‘geography, economics, urban-rural conflict, and other non-legal factors – to be considered in the drawing of constituency boundaries, these other factors are weighting factors.’’ Said Kiunjuri

Kiunjuri who doubles up as the Member of the National assembly for Laikipia East said the changes if effected would cure the inequalities, and further protect the fundamental right to representation as guaranteed in the constitution of Kenya

‘’Current electoral inequalities cannot be resolved within a single member constituency system like ours: Inter-county differences in constituency sizes cannot be resolved by an electoral system – like ours- that is only based on territorial constituencies. In urban areas, one could end up with unreasonably small constituencies- a few high-rise apartments- whilst in rural areas- the size of constituencies would make representation impossible.’’ Said Kiunjuri

‘’This legislative proposal recommends that Parliament fundamentally re-think the design of our electoral system and adopt constitutional reforms that embrace a combination of territorial constituencies and political party lists. That would mean moving Kenya from the single member constituency-based system we now have to a Mixed Member Proportional Representation System, MMR. In such a system, parties would present MPs for election in single-member constituencies and then after those elections they would be allocated seats in proportion to the number of votes they get.’’Kiunjuri said

The Justice and legal Affairs Committee is expected to deliberate on the Bill, before making a determination of whether it will be presented before the plenary for debate.

Elected leaders under The Service Party (TSP) from Tharaka Nithi County have moved in to assist a bright but needy student access university education.

Led by Tharaka Nithi Woman Representative in the National Assembly Hon. Susan Ngugi, the leaders accompanied Ann Kathambi as she joined Chuka University where Hon. Ngugi pledged to support the girl achieve her dreams.

Kathambi will pursue Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, a course she says will equip her with necessary skills to serve her community.

Like Kathambi, hundreds of other bright but needy students in Tharaka Nithi will benefit from an allocation of over Kshs. 3.8 million shillings bursary from the office of the Woman Representative.

The Service Party (TSP) has signed a working agreement with like-minded party leaders under the Kenya Kwanza coalition. TSP leader Mwangi Kiunjuri led officials of the party including Secretary General Dr. Mwenda Makathimo and National Chairperson Brown Munyoroku, along a team of party’s legal team.

Under the agreement, The Service Party (TSP) now becomes a constituent party in the coalition, although it remains a distinct and independent party.

After signing the agreement which was also witnessed by the Kenya Kwanza presidential flagbearer and UDA party leader William Ruto, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and FORD-K leader Moses Wetangula, TSP leader said that the resolve to join the coalition was anchored on the policies and objectives of the coalition, key among them being economic reforms and achieving food security for all Kenyans.

‘’ We as TSP family are happy to join you today. We came here because we have a purpose. When we look through Kenya Kwanza, and we have been following closely the activities of the coalition, we believe we are in the right formation.’’ Kiunjuri said

Kiunjuri termed high cost of living as the greatest undoing for the current administration, saying that nothing is expected to change should the next administration be led by the Azimio brigade.

‘’ what we are looking for today is not about big words, we are concerned about the suffering of Kenyans. Every Kenyans crying because of high cost of living. You look at this Azimio coalition and wonder what is happening with them, but sometimes God work in miracles. If you see how they tabled this budget, you can tell that the writing is on the wall.’’ Kiunjuri said

Other parties joining the Kenya Kwanza coalition include Moses Kuria’s CCK, William Kabogo’s Tujibebe Wakenya Party, The Farmers Party led by Irungu Nyakera and The Communist Party of Kenya among others.

The Service Party (TSP) leader, Mwangi Kiunjuri has urged residents of Laikipia county to avoid party euphoria and elect leaders based on their track record or policies they present.

He said the people risked failing to pick good leaders if they voted based on their political parties.

The TSP leader said only the presidential vote should be cast depending on the party one is affiliated to.

“For other seats, let’s elect leaders based on one’s track record or the policies they present during their campaigns,” he said during the burial of a Kinamba businessman, James Kigamba at Mwenje village in Laikiopia County on Tuesday.

Kiunjuri cautioned the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu against giving in to some forces and reopen parties register to allow party hopping.

He claimed that the ruling party, Jubilee is still wooing aspirants from other parties despite the deadline for party hopping having lapsed on March 26, this year.

“We know the party hopping window closed on March 26, but Jubilee is still wooing aspirants from our parties. Is there something they know that we don’t,”  Kiunjuiri who is vying for Laikipia East parliamentary seat said.

He said if the ORPP reopened the register, it would show that anything is possible including rigging the August 9th General Election.

The Service Party (TSP) presented its list of aspirants to ORPP on Saturday, but some aspirants intimated that they have been receiving calls from senior government operatives and Jubilee honchos asking them to ditch TSP in favour of the ruling party Jubilee.

Also present during the burial ceremony were Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, former Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu and former Laikipia West Mp Wachira Karani both who are vying to recapture their seats on UDA ticket, Laikipia West aspirant Ibrahim Ngugi (TSP) and two aspirants for Woman Representative position Beth Waithera Wadayana (TSP) and Mary Miano (UDA).

Enthusiastic football fans poured into Matanya stadium in jubilation after the final whistle, to celebrate Alaska FC which thrashed Chuma FC 4-2 to bank the first edition trophy of Chapa Dimba Mtaani na TSP tournament for Tigithi ward in Laikipia East constituency.

The match, attended by thousands of football fans from Laikipia and beyond, ended in a 1-1 draw at the 90^th minute forcing the teams to go for penalty shoot outs.

Chapa Dimba Mtaani na TSP tournament is sponsored by The Service Party and is expected to resume after three months, with an aim of tapping into raw football talent from all villages in Laikipia county.

TSP leader Mwangi Kiunjuri who presented the trophy and cash prize to the winning team said the party may soon sponsor a tournament for Laikipia Women’s football league, which will be expected to run concurrently with Men’s football tournament.

‘’…when I look around, I see a lot of girls who are potential footballers. As we move to the second edition of Chapa Dimba Mtaani na TSP, we will consider having a tournament for these girls. The next big names in the world of football should come from Laikipia.’’ Kiunjuri said

Kiunjuri further reiterated the need for the government to equip the youth with skills and information to enable them face the future with vigour.

‘’…we should not allow ourselves to be used by politicians. It is unfortunate that our youth have been used as a bridge every election year. It is high time that anyone who wants our vote tells us how our young people will benefit from the position of power they are seeking.’’ Kiunjuri said.

Aspirants present during the event, and vying on a TSP ticket, were John Kiama Githinji for Laikipia Senator, Beth Waithira (Wadayana) for Laikipia Women Representative and Ibrahim Ngugi for Laikipia West Constituency Member of Parliament.

The Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has asked voters of Mt Kenya region to be careful while supporting either UDA or Azimio la Umoja political outfits in the forthcoming general election saying that none has addressed their plight so far.

Speaking at a burial at Karundu in Mukurwe-ini Kiunjuri said that the two political outfit have made empty promises to residents with no guarantee of articulating economic issues effecting the region.

“I want to urge you to be careful while supporting the two sides they should tell us in clear and sustainable terms how they are going to articulate our agriculture ,in the past we supported former president moi to ascend to power but what do he do he burned bridges once he ascended to power and destroyed our coffee tea and milk this should never happen again ” said Kiunjuri.

Kiunjuri said that until the two outfit led by Deputy President and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga give a solid promise on what is in store for the region they should not be supported.

Kiunjuri said that the era of selected political parties dominance and dictatorship is over and residents should go for leaders with vision regardless of their political affiliation.

” All political parties are of equal importance and must therefore be accorded the respect that they deserve never before in our lives should we elect three piece leaders ” said Kinjuri.

He said that he is eagerly waiting for the passing and signing into law of political parties amendment, saying that this will give the clearest direction the nation will take ahead of the general elections.

The TSP leader beseeched electorate not to be hoodwinked through empty promises asking them to instead interrogate the practicability of these promises and the life span aspect, further urging the youth to take advantage of the forthcoming mass voter registration in order to take part in shaping the country’s future.

The Service Party has kicked off the year on a high, after former Igembe North legislator Joseph M’eruaki rejoined the party from UDA. M’eruaki will now contest for the Igembe North seat on a TSP ticket. M’eruaki was officially received by TSP leader Mwangi Kiunjuri and Party Secretary General Dr. Mwenda Makathimo.

M’eruaki had left The Service Party early November to join UDA, but bowed to pressure from his constituents, majority of whom are TSP supporters.

The former legislator served in the 11^th parliament from 2013 to 2017, but narrowly lost his seat to Jubilee’s Maoka Maore.

M’eruaki has pledged to launch a scathing campaign, with an intention to unseat Maore in the 9^th August polls.