President has left out the Meru people, Kiraitu claims

Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi. [File, Standard]

Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi is crying foul over President William Ruto’s recent government appointments.

Mr Murungi claims the Meru tribe was overlooked in the recent Cabinet and parastatal appointments announced by the President.

Murungi was appointed the National Oil Corporation board chairman.

The Devolution Empowerment Party leader said it was disappointing that no one from the tribe was appointed ambassador. He said the Meru people overwhelmingly voted for Ruto.

Former governors William Kabogo (Kiambu) and Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) and former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe have been nominated to Cabinet.

Kiraitu and former Agriculture CS Peter Munya are senior Meru leaders who campaigned for Azimio leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 poll. 

“People are very bitter when they see what they did to ensure UDA won the government,” Kiraitu said Sunday in Meru town. He said Ruto’s recent nominees to the Cabinet opposed him in the 2022 poll.

“Those appointed were with us in supporting Raila. Kinyanjui, Nderitu Mureithi, and Kabogo were in Azimio like Munya and I,” said Kiraitu.

He said an urgent leaders’ meeting would be convened to chart the way forward on the region’s political future. The former Energy minister said the Meru people felt sidelined by the Ruto administration.