Moses Kuria has invited the Linda Mwananchi movement to campaign in Nyahururu and Ol Kalou, dismissing attempts to keep the group away from the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Kuria made the remarks on Sunday, July 12, just days after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua urged Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and the Linda Mwananchi movement to stay away from the constituency during the campaign period.
Speaking at the DCP headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, July 10, Gachagua maintained that the Ol Kalou by-election was a matter for the party’s Nyandarua leadership to handle.
Moses Kuria Reveals Phone Call to Irungu Kang’ata. Photo: Courtesy.
While acknowledging Linda Mwananchi’s right to conduct political activities in the area, he argued that the movement’s participation in DCP’s campaign would create unnecessary confusion among voters ahead of the July 16 poll.
Responding to the remarks, Kuria accused the former deputy president of being intolerant toward the Linda Mwananchi movement and attempting to restrict democratic political competition.
The former Cabinet Secretary disclosed that he had spoken with Governor Kang’ata to express solidarity following Gachagua’s comments and encouraged the Linda Mwananchi team to campaign freely for any candidate of their choice in the by-election.
Kuria argued that all political groups have a constitutional right to campaign and engage voters, adding that efforts to exclude rival political formations undermine the country’s democratic space.
He further claimed that Gachagua’s position reflected political insecurity, alleging that the former deputy president was uncomfortable with the emergence of alternative leaders from the Mt Kenya region, particularly younger politicians and leaders from Murang’a County.
The exchange comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, with various political camps seeking to influence the outcome of the vote.
