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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 90th 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 11th 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 9th August polls.
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.
