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  It was jubilation, pomp and colour at Kathwana market, Igamba Ng’ombe constituency in Tharaka Nithi county, as thousands of The Service Party (TSP) supporters came forward to witness the official opening of TSP offices, as the party spread its wings to reach more Kenyans.

The event was graced by TSP leader Mwangi Kiunjuri, flanked by Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe parliamentary aspirant on a TSP ticket Eric Muthomi Micheni (810), Tharaka Nithi Women Rep aspirant Susan Ngugi wa Mwindu, TSP Secretary General Dr. Mwenda Makathimo and a host of local leaders.

The party which is growing by leaps and bounds is expected to field candidates in all elective positions, but according to Kiunjuri, TSP will engage into pre or post-election coalition agreement based on mutual respect.

‘’we will go all the way to the ballot, and we will not be intimidated into folding our party. We are not backing off.’’ Kiunjuri said

Kiunjuri who addressed party supporters outside Kathwana TSP office warned Mt. Kenya party leaders against folding their political vehicles, saying the move would deny the region its tyranny of numbers advantage.

‘’usidharau wale unasema wako na vyama ndogo ndogo. Hujui huko mbele kutakuwa aje.  Siasa ni kama mahindi ya bahari. Lakini mwezi wa pili mwaka ujao, ndio utajua.’’ Kiunjuri said

On his part, TSP Secretary General Dr. Mwenda Makathimo said the party will present a fair playing ground to all its candidates.

The opening of Kathwana TSP office has injected a sigh of relief for members and potential party members in the region, who will now walk to the office as they seek services.

The Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has warned the Deputy president against his clarion call for 6- piece voting pattern, saying the move is tantamount to weaken Mt. Kenya leaders.

Speaking during the opening of TSP offices in Kathwana, Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe in Tharaka Nithi County, Kiunjuri said Mt. Kenya leaders should be firm in their resolve to protect their political vehicles, as this will earn them respect in the eyes of presidential hopefuls they wish to support.

” Kama vyama vya kisiasa lazima tuheshimiane, don’t say you were frustrated, when you are also trying to frustrate others. It will be dangerous if we all get into one vehicle.” Kiunjuri said

The TSP leader said pre and post election coalitions will be entered into, only if there will be existing political parties with backing from members of parliament.

” Sasa hivi unataka kumaliza vyama vingine, lakini hujui kule mbeke kutakuwa aje. you may need us huko mbele.” Kiunjuri said

While advocating what he terms as mix-and-catch voting pattern, Kiunjuri said party euphorias may yield poor leaders who only ride on party popularity, but no tangible development records to show

” Msichague vyama, chagueni viongozi ambao matendo yao yanaonekana. tsp ikiwaletea viongozi wabaya, msiwachagua. mtu asikuje hapa kuwaimbia wimbo ya chama, atwambie ni nini amefanya.” Kiunjuri said

There are heightened political activities in Mt.Kenya region, with every political contender jostling to get a share of votes. The  region has also seen many political parties being registered, Kiunjuri saying registration of more political parties should be encouraged.

” hatuwezi rudisha kidole mahali tuliumwa, we were in Jubilee, and everyone knows what happened. sisi sio wajinga kufungua chama zetu.” Kiunjuri

Kiunjuri further accused the DP of playing double standards, by calling for the dissolution of political parties in Mt.kenya, but  advocating for a working relationship with parties from other regions.

As the country enters crunch time for the 2022 general elections, The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has warned 2022 presidential hopefuls that the mountain region will weigh its options on who to support based on the size of the national cake that the region will be guaranteed.

Speaking in Mwimuto market in Kabete constituency, Kiambu county, Kiunjuri said that this is a critical period, where decisive actions must be taken by Mt. Kenya region, in order to bargain what the mountain gets after the elections.

‘’If it gets to January before Raila, Ruto, Mudavadi and other presidential aspirants tell us what we stand to gain by voting them in, then we are cooked.’’ Kiunjuri said.

With close to eight million votes to dangle, Kiunjuri says the region must enter into a binding memorandum with president aspirants before casting their votes, a document that will include details of how much resources will be channelled towards improving the living standards of residents.

‘’…we must be told how our coffee sector, poultry farming and other sectors of our economy will be made better we are farmers.’’ Kiunjuri said

However, the TSP leader warned the mountain region against voting based on political parties’ euphoria, but rather examine individual track records.

‘’ If we present to you aspirants who you think are non-performers, do not give them your votes. Vote for people who will stand to be counted. Leaders of integrity, people who will work for you.’’Kiunjuri said

Kiunjuri traversed Mwimuto Market drumming up support for Kabete Parliamentary aspirant on a TSP ticket Eddah Wambui, where thousands of enthusiastic  residents.

Former Lamu West member of parliament Julius Kariuki Ndegwa has ditched Kanu party for TSP, as he gears up to battle it out in the forthcoming general election.

Ndegwa who served in the 11^th parliament now joins a growing list of aspirants in the cosmopolitan county of Lamu, who are aligning themselves with The Service Party.

The former legislator was flanked by a delegation of leaders from Lamu led by former Deputy Governor Eric Mugo and Lamu senatorial aspirant Joseph Githuku.

During a welcoming ceremony, The Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri cautioned aspirants against being lured into joining political parties blindly, but instead scrutinise the parties’ agenda.

‘’This time we will not vote blindly. We are in agreement that TSP must stand firm. We want members of parliament who have a stand.’’ Kiunjuri said

Kiunjuri said that no aspirant should bank on party euphoria to win an election in Mt. Kenya region.

‘’As TSP we shall fight to ensure that no body is elected through euphoria, in the country and especially the region we dominate. Kiunjuri said

While acknowledging that ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy president William Ruto have launched a spirited campaign to woo Mt. Kenya leaders, Kiunjuri said that any engagement will only be entertained if there is a promise to make the region better economically.

‘’Our partnership will be with the person who gives us the freedom to elect our people, the one who becomes president should no longer make declarations that cannot be challenged by their own members of parliament. Executive have completely overrun the legislature.’’ Kiunjuri said

The defection comes days after ODM leader Raila Odinga and deputy president William Ruto toured the region to popularise their parties.

The Service Party (TSP) has opened an office in Imenti Central Constituency, in a move aimed at accelerating party members registration and coordination of party affairs in Imenti Central.

Thousands of enthusiastic residents of Imenti Central constituency witnessed the occasion graced by TSP leader Mwangi Kiunjuri and party Secretary General Dr. Mwenda Makathimo, who is also a parliamentary aspirant for Imenti Central.

The office is situated in Gatimbi market along Meru-Embu road.

Kiunjuri in his address called for a united Mt. Kenya, saying that failure to have a solid voting bloc could lead to coercion and intimidation from those who take power.

‘’you have heard of intended splitting of Mt. Kenya East and West. I want to tell you that if we are divided, we will not have a say at the bargaining table.’’ Kiunjuri said

With about eight million voters, Kiunjuri said that the mountain should not be taken for granted, adding that voters should not be bundled in one political party, terming the move as retrogressive and risky for our democracy.

‘’It is time for mix and match, and people already know their preferred candidates. What we are asking is that people be given the space to vote whoever they want based on their performance record, and not parties.’’Kiunjuri said

Kiunjuri reiterated the need to have an independent parliament devoid of state interference, adding that the situation has led to skewed law making.

‘’These MPs have become stooges for the executive and parties which sponsored them to parliament. They can’t think on their own. We must liberate ourselves.’’Kiunjuri said

TSP Secretary General Dr. Mwenda Makathimo on his part warned political brokers to desist from meddling with politics of the region, saying that the people have an independent mind to elect their leaders.

‘’The journey has started, we will not allow anyone to dictate who we are going to elect. We shall elect either Ruto or Odinga, but for other positions, let the people have the freedom to choose who they want.’’ Makathimo said

Also present during the occasion was Meru county assembly deputy speaker Elias Murega who is vying for the position of Imenti North member of parliament on a TSP ticket.

The Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has challenged the youth to make use of the digital space available to create jobs, saying that the next million jobs are smartphone related.

Speaking during an award ceremony for the winners of a ‘Spot a TSP billboard’ contest organized by the party, Kiunjuri said the digital world has offered opportunities for young people, who only need a smartphone and access to internet.

‘’ you don’t have to open a mtumba shop, what you need is a smartphone, take photos of clothes and sell the at the comfort of your seat. As a party we are determined to make this a reality.’’ Kiunjuri said

However, Kiunjuri said the agenda can only be achieved by ensuring there is deliberate effort to lower the cost of smartphones by slashing the percentage of duty imposed, and making internet affordable.

‘’ ‘We do not all need to be in government to achieve some of these things. Myself included. We just need the space and opportunity to agitate for them and the digital space affords that to all of us.” Kiunjuri Said

Kiunjuri said that the party is not looking to reinvent the wheel, as conversation on matters technology and the digital space are not new and have accelerated since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Director of internal Affairs at TSP Wambui Kimathi who spearheaded the Smartphone contest stated that it was time to take initiative in easing access to the gadgets and the campaign was just the first of many activities leading up to the launch of the agenda.

‘We must make a difference for young people. There is so much to be done with smartphones.’’ Wambui Said

According to Safaricom statistics, 39% of all phones are smartphones, 53% being non smartphones and the remaining 8% being other forms of gadgets. TSP leader says there is need for policy intervention, to ensure that smartphone intake among the youth is enhanced.

‘’if your father has a smartphone, he uses it maybe to take photos, go to twitter to see what is happening, but when a young person buys a smartphone, he sees it as an opportunity to earn. This is why the government should dig deeper to find out what portion of the population, with access to smartphones, actually accounts for the youth as well as the best measures, such as subsidizing the cost, that would result in an increase in the ownership of smartphones by young people.’’ Kiunjuri said

The Service Party (TSP) Spot a billboard campaign was launched on the 5th of October 2021 and ended on the 18th of October 2021.

A verification exercise was conducted to determine the winners with the criteria being the number of retweets and likes as well the category within which the responses fell.

A total of 11 winners were selected, namely: Sylvia Mercy Kibet, Muti Kelvin, Gilbert Moturi, Victor Macharia, Dennis Githinji, Lucy Muriuki, Gilbert Ng’etich, Peter Barack, Caleb Jones, Rebecca Mwangi and Kilonzi Shadrack.

Every winner was presented with a smartphone and a gift hampers by the party leader.

The Service Party (TSP) leader Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri now wants the government to deploy 10 police reservists in every village in the troubled Ol Moran region, Laikipia County.

Speaking during the burial of three residents of Mbogo-ini village who were shot dead by armed bandits, Kiunjuri says solution to the perennial banditry attacks in the region is to train and arm residents as police reservists, saying that they understand the terrain better.

” Enough is enough, we demand that every village be given 10 guns.We don’t want more deployment of police officers. arm our people and they will be able to deal with these bandits”. Kiunjuri said…

Sombre mood engulfed the burial ceremony, with thousands of mourners who turned up for the mass burial blaming the national govt over what they termed as negligence.

” what wrong did these young men do. how can the govt tell us that we have army on this side, yet when the bandits attack, they use the same route to escape”.  Kabando said

“ Our patience is running out’’. Kiunjuri said“ tuache kubembelezana. We have leadership vacuum. If the governor, Mp and senator are not here to mourn with us, then we elected wrong leaders’’ Kiama Githinji

Kiunjuri says that disarmament exercise was done selectively, leaving majority of Laikipia residents vulnerable to attacks.

‘’We are aware that they have guns and where they get them, It is either the government provides us with guns or we will have to organise ourselves how we will defend our people.’’

The latest attack left three people dead and one injured, even as armoured security vehicles roam the region.

‘’police officers are not enough. President should address Laikipia insecurity tomorrow as he addresses the nation’’ Kabando wa Kabando

The Service Party leader further emphasised on the need to create buffer zone in the region.

”we will create a buffer zone so that we can see our enemy coming. Tutafyeka 2 kilometers ndani so that hata ngombe zetu zikiimbiwa we see them going.” Kiunjuri said

During the ceremony, former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando called on Mt. Kenya residents not to shy aware from forming their own political parties, as the move would give them a better bargaining power…

‘’ don’t shy when planning your political path. Kibaki and Njenga Karume taught us not to fear.” Says Kabando

Other leaders present during the meeting include Laikipia senatorial aspirant on a TSP ticket John Kiama Githinji, Laikipia MP aspirant Beth Waithira ( Wadiana), Laikipia West MP aspirant Ibrahim Ngugi among others.

So far, 16 people in Ol Moran region have been killed by armed bandits in the last two months.

Forays in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s backyard by 2022 presidential hopefuls have lifted the lid on the huge dilemma of identifying their running mates.

Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Amani National Congress (AMC) leader Musalia Mudavadi have pitched tent in the region, engaging locals, attending events including church service, to woo the vote-rich region.

But even as presidential hopefuls scratch their heads over what tactic to apply in order to capture Mt. Kenya votes, The Service Party (TSP) leader Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri had a candid conversation with The Star newspaper political reporter as outlined in the following extracts:

Political parties have escalated activities ahead of 2022. What’s TSP doing?

The Service Party, which launched in June 2020, is a grassroots party that understands the people’s needs and the bottom-up economic model. We have offices in 27 counties, candidates in 19 counties and we are expanding.

TSP believes a party should be based on issues, policies and programmes. We are opening offices and popularising the party and our candidates for the 2022 polls. We are strengthening our secretariat at headquarters and regional levels. We are preparing nomination rules, a code of conduct and nominations board. We are ensuring we are aligned to the Political Parties Act.

Will TSP field a presidential candidate?

A party does not necessarily need a presidential candidate to be strong or responsive to the people’s issues. In many democracies, like Germany, there are many strong parties but they haven’t fielded presidential candidates. Kenyan parties have been formed as special-purpose election vehicles. PNU, Narc and now Jubilee had big names but collapsed early.

Is TSP’s leader preparing to be a running mate?

I am not the only Mt Kenya person qualified to be a presidential running mate. We have so many leaders and all are qualified. So, it depends on the qualifications a candidate wants. Some  candidates may want quiet and passive running mates while others may want assertive people who will campaign for them.

Are you planning to be DP William Ruto’s running mate?

I am a politician. My priority is ensuring our community is united and I’m working on that. I’m not waiting to be a running mate. But when the time comes and someone wants me to be his running mate, he must demonstrate why he wants me. I must also demonstrate why I want to be his running mate.

The Deputy President’s seat is not the most comfortable if it is not respected. It is the last seat one would want. It’s the most disrespected office in this country.

You can become very powerful and respected without being a deputy president.

Is TSP seeking an alliance with DP Ruto’s UDA?

TSP supports partnership on key national and regional issues. Our first choice is that person who articulates the issues dear to us. TSP has irreducible minimums. We want security for  people and the right to own property. Assure us you will allow Kenyans to do business anywhere and not destroy business. Support agriculture. Support farmers. At least 10 per cent of the budget should be spent on agriculture.

The DP is on record saying small parties should be dissolved [and join UDA]. Will you dissolve TSP?

We will not, we are not a small party. We are in 27 counties and  have candidates in 19 counties. So, if the DP wants small parties to merge, TSP is not one of them.

Nobody will sit somewhere in a corner and feel because they are so popular and can sweep up others they are qualified to dictate. We are free [to make up] our own minds. We do that either in government or outside. That’s why I have a lot of respect for Musalia Mudavadi. He has been out of Parliament for a  long time but he has never lost his relevance.

Is DP Ruto the man to beat in Mt Kenya?

It is too early to predict who will get Mt Kenya votes. As I’ve said, the wind blows very fast when it’s about to rain. But when the rains start, the wind disappears. A farmer expects a bumper harvest, only for rains or wind to destroy his crops.

What are Raila’s fortunes in Mt Kenya?

It’s very unpredictable. Until three weeks ago, nobody thought Raila  could address a rally of 10 people. Nobody thought anyone could listen to Raila. People knew him as a man of the boardroom. They thought when Raila visits, stones would be flying.

But three week ago, he pulled huge crowds and people listened. Once that was unimaginable.

Two months ago, there was no conversation about Raila in Mt Kenya. But people are now talking about him and that should worry many people.

What’s the Mt Kenya Leaders Forum doing?

This is a forum of like-minded leaders who want us to be more united and forwarding looking. We’re focused, experienced and articulate the people’s issues. Even the Constitution recognises a community of interest. The regional blocs formed by governors are communities of interest.

We established a forum to push the next government to respond to our people’s needs. We are very open-minded and a  technical team is working on issues presidential candidates should commit to if they want our votes.

Is the forum supporting a particular person for president?

No. We are liberal. Some support Raila Odinga, some William Ruto, others want Mudavadi,  Kalonzo and others. We want a leader to address our issues. We only appointed Martha Karua as spokesperson. Anything she says is a decision of the forum. We can bring on board more leaders to champion our interest as a united team.

Have Mt  Kenya people and their leaders settled on a person they will support for president?

We know all the candidates and what they believe. We have heard them and know what they stand for. We know who has supported violence. We know who’s a statesman.

Though we’re making a lot of noise, we shall stand together when the time comes. When a man seduces or dates a young girl, there is a lot of excitement. But when the time comes  to wed and settle down, they retreat to their parents. When the time comes, Mt Kenya will go back to their parents.

Where there is commotion, there’s no order. It’s time to calm down and allow us to think.

You cannot predict what will happen in Mt Kenya. You can be a farmer whose crops grow well. But as harvest approaches, strong winds or heavy rains destroy everything.

What your assessment of Jubilee and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s performance?

Bricks and mortar.

They have tangible projects. In terms of infrastructure – roads, water, the standard gauge railway and others — they have performed.

However, big projects are not being felt. People don’t have money. Most people who have benefited (been paid) from these projects are international contractors. Unfortunately, they repatriated the money back to their countries, leaving Kenyans without money.

That’s why we have a beef with this government. It has done  many big projects, mostly through loans. Kenyans are paying through the nose. Taxes are sky high, fuel prices are skyrocketing.

You build an expensive expressway but people lack vehicles to use it. People are hungry. They don’t have money. Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse? They should have put that money in agriculture.

They have destroyed businesses, impoverished people. International contractors thrive but local ones suffer. Government’s pending bills exceed Sh400 billion. People have died. Others battle stress and other conditions because their money is stuck.

The next government should freeze new projects. Complete the current ones first. Pay people and ensure they have money in their pockets. Otherwise, all these complex economic models will not work.

What is your advice for Mt Kenya?

We must be calm,  stop the excitement and empty rhetoric. It’s time we sit down and deal with our issues. Mt Kenya people should elect leaders of their choice. Anybody asking people to vote three-piece because they want soldiers in Parliament will be an enemy of the people.

(Edited by V. Graham

https://www.the-star.co.ke/siasa/2021-10-09-who-will-capture-mt-kenya-vote-kiunjuri-speaks/