Embattled Molo MP Kuria Kimani has told off his critics who have filed a petition to recall him, saying he is ready to face the electorate should the petition succeed.
Mr Kuria defended himself against allegations that he was in violation of Chapter Six of the Constitution that deals with leadership and integrity, saying his development record in the constituency is public knowledge.
“If they want me to seek fresh mandate from the residents, I’m ready. The same way Molo residents voted for me overwhelmingly is the same way they will do it again,” said Kuria.
The petition was filed at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to recall Kuria after he attended a public gathering in Elburgon town while reportedly intoxicated on July 4.
Police blocked the MP from addressing the gathering after he was booed. The meeting had been called to discuss the fight against illicit brews in the area.
The MP yesterday said the matter had been resolved, and blamed his political opponents for the renewed debate.
“I agree there was a mistake. I immediately asked for forgiveness publicly from the residents and they pardoned me. Those behind the petition are people who don’t believe that elections are long gone and they lost,” said Kuria.
Two days after the incident, Kuria held a public meeting at Chesingele Primary School during which he apologised to the residents and assured them of his support in the fight against illicit brews.
“I am sorry for what happened and I want to tell my people that it will never happen again,” the MP said on July 6.
Kuria maintained that he will not give room to those seeking to throw residents into campaign mode before his five-year term elapses.
While calling on the residents not to yield to such plans, the MP said the move would waste time and roll back development plans and progress.
“This is a plan to derail me from implementing my development plan for the residents. The petitioners are in a deep-sea fishing expedition that will not yield any fruit.”
Kuria also expressed his doubts on the signatures forwarded to IEBC by the petitioners, saying he was confident they had been falsified.
“I believe that the signatures are not from legitimate Molo residents, most of whom only learnt about the petition after it had already been filed. This is a matter that shall soon be confirmed by the IEBC.”
Humbled himself
A section of residents have backed Kuria, saying they had forgiven him and would only support such a petition if he fails to deliver on his mandate.
“We are not ready for another politicking period just when the MP had started implementing projects we have been fighting for for years. He is our son who, after he humbled himself before us and requested for forgiveness, was forgiven,” said Tabitha Wanjiku, a resident.
Joseph Mugo, another resident, said they would not sacrifice their time for politics at the expense of development.
“Human is to error and leaders are no exception. He was pardoned by the residents who voted for him. It is during his time that we have seen the biggest funding of Sh400 million for tarmacking the Njoro-Molo road.”
