NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga in Meru. [Photo/Kenya-today.com]
NASA presidential campaigns are set for Meru and Tharaka Nithi county on Wednesday and reports indicate that anxiety has been triggered among Jubilee Party loyalist in the region.
The loyalists have been warning the rulling Jubilee administration to come up with a strong defense mechanism to counter the growing influnce of NASA in the region which has long been perceived as Jubilee's stronghold.
According to the Linford Mutembei, the chairman of the Mt Kenya Youth Caucus, the frequent visits by NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga in the region should not be underrated.
“The President and Deputy President are being misled that all is well in the area when it clearly is not,” said Mutembei.
Mutembei also singled out the political supremacy battles between Meru Governor Peter Munya and his rival Senator Kiraitu Murungi as one of the reasons NASA is gaining popularity in the area, he urged Jubilee top organ to expel the two from the presidential campaign team.
Igembe Central parliamentary seat aspirant James Mithika also narrowed the reason behind Odinga's popularity in the region on the basis that Jubilee had abandoned some parts of the county in their power sharing deals and development.
“Igembe region particularly feels it has been terribly let down by Jubilee in recent appointments, including the nomination of former
Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo to the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala),” said Mr Mithika."Raila had demonstrated more inclusiveness by picking Japeth Moroko from a little-known family in Igembe Central for the same position," he added.Mithika warned that Raila was likely to capitalise on the government’s failure to intervention in the challenges facing the miraa sector.
However, Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood dismissed claims that Raila is gaining ground in Meru.
“Right now we are sitting on Sh5 billion in ongoing infrastructure projects including the Ndurumo-Giaki-Miomponi road, the Meru town bypass
and Mate Road,” he said.