Via The Star

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga yesterday ditched the Jubilee Party for Kanu but four hours later was back in JP.

Njenga had at around noon presented his papers for the Laikipia senator race on a Kanu ticket.

He changed his mind later in the afternoon after the Political Parties Tribunal ordered JP to allow him to participate in the primaries.

Njenga sued JP and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for “acting illegally and infringing [on] his political rights”.

This is after the secretariat rejected his nomination papers on grounds that he had integrity issues to settle.

Njenga accused immediate former JP secretary general Veronica Maina of frustrating his senatorial bid.

He said the secretariat told him President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed they reject his papers until he (the President) and Deputy President William Ruto say otherwise.

This did not augur well with Njenga so he decided to seek refuge in the Independence party.

He was received by Kanu leader Gideon Moi. Njenga said, “I wish Jubilee well. Tuju is of a brighter mind. He can help turn around their image than those who were there before.”

Secretary general Nick Salat was present. The event was at the party’s headquarters in Hurligham, Nairobi.

Moi vs Ruto in 2022?

Njenga said Kanu will rule in 2022. Moi is said to be preparing to run for the presidency in 2022, but Ruto is also eyeing the seat.

“This party belongs to everyone…it is the father and mother party, unlike Jubilee, where they looked at my papers and told me to wait for someone to be called. Does the party belong to one person?” Njenga asked.

He said Kanu will open offices in Laikipia and advised those who are interested in becoming President to wait until 2022.

For now, all we know is Uhuru’s reelection, Njenga said.