President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto at a past function in the State House, Nairobi. Uhuru has named Ruto on as his preferred successor in 2022. [Photo: The Standard]
Meru Governor Peter Munya has insisted that he will not relent on his 2022 presidential bid despite facing opposition from Deputy President William Ruto.
Speaking when he took his reelection campaigns to Timau town on Sunday, the Governor said the community had helped other communities ascend to power saying it is time for Mount Kenya East to govern the country.
Munya trashed an arrangement to have DP Ruto succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta after he retires in 2022, saying the country's leadership was not preserved for only two major tribes.
"The presidency does not belong to Central Kenya and Rift Valley regions alone, it was not meant to be exchanged between Kikuyus and Kalenjins at the expense of other tribes," he said.
Munya said votes from the Meru region helped President Kenyatta win in 2013 and thus Central Kenya residents should return the favour and back his bid in 2022 general elections.
"The larger Meru has always supported our Central region cousins in past presidential elections. It is their time to support us in our 2022 bid," said the county boss.
In a recent rally in Bomet, President Kenyatta said he will back his deputy Ruto in 2022 to take office after him, dashing Munya's presidential ambition.
Ruto has already named Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa as his preferred running mate in the race to State House.