Editor's Review

PNU party leader Peter Munya has come out to explain the party’s poor performance in the recent Ol Kalou by-election.

Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya has come out to explain the party’s poor performance in the recent Ol Kalou by-election.

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, August 5, Munya revealed that the party had advised Edwin Kariri against contesting for the seat. 

The PNU leader noted that Kariri insisted on running despite being informed that his chances of winning were slim.

According to Munya, the candidate argued that participating in the by-election would help him gain valuable political experience.

“A young man who is in university came to my office and wanted to vie; we told him we are in the United Opposition, we want one candidate, and he was unlikely to win. 

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“He asked us, ‘Are you going to deny me the right to participate to get experience of running merely because I will not win’? I was touched, and we decided to let him run,” Munya explained. 

File image of PNU Party leader Peter Munya. 

The former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary noted that he did not campaign for Kariri during the by-election.

Munya also disclosed that the party later tried to persuade Kariri to withdraw from the race.

“Did you see me in Ol Kalou campaigning for him? In fact, at one point we persuaded him to step down. 

“He discussed it with the DCP candidate that he wanted to publicly step down, but the DCP candidate advised him not to,” Munya added. 

During the Ol Kalou by-election, Kariri, who vied on a PNU ticket, garnered only 28 votes. 

DCP’s Sammy Kamau Ngotho won the election after receiving 35,440 votes while UDA Party’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah came in second with 5,450 votes. 

Munya's explanation comes after DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua mocked PNU's performance, saying it was embarrassing for the party to receive only 28 votes in the by-election.

The former Deputy President challenged Munya and other party leaders in opposition to make efforts to popularize their parties. 

“Munya and the PNU party did not even visit Ol Kalou. Your candidate only got 28 votes in that by-election. Isn't that embarrassing?" Gachagua posed.