![[VIDEO] Kiraitu tells Meru locals to elect whomever they want between Ruto, Raila as president](http://thebrief.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Kiraitu-Murungi-scaled.jpeg)
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi doesn’t care who is elected as the next president as long as his county gets its share of the national cake.
In what points to a move to distance himself fro Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga, who he has endorsed for the Presidency, Kiraitu on Saturday told Meru residents to vote for whoever they wish for president but elect him as their governor on August 9.
Kiraitu said he will work with whoever becomes President
“If Ruto is elected, he will allocate county funds to Kiraitu because he is the governor. If Raila is elected, he will do the same. So, for the top seat, vote for whoever you want,” Kiraitu said
The governor, however, for the second time said he and his wife will vote for Raila but said he has not and will not force any presidential candidate on the residents of Meru.
This comes less than a month after Kiraitu and his Development Epowerment party popularly called “Mbus) joined Azimio and backed Raila’s presidential bid.
He had at the time said they had done the research, talked to opponents and listened to confidential reports and decided that Azimio was the way to go.
“I can confidently tell you that the fifth president of Kenya is no other than Raila Odinga. DEP will work with Azimio Movement for a better Kenya,” he said at the time.
However, his recent comments appear to suggest selling Raila has proved difficult for him, and is now working to salvage his governor seat.
He is facing an onslaught from Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, who is vying on the UDA party, which has huge following oin the Mt Kenya region.
Linturi announced his bid at Maili Tatu, Igembe Central, on March 8.
He will team up with Imenti South MP Kathuri Murungi, who is vying for senator.
Linturi said he decided to vie after Kiraitu refused to join Kenya Kwanza Alliance and support Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential bid.
“He [Kiraitu] is yet to make up his mind on which side he will support in the August poll between Raila Odinga and Ruto,” he said.
The senator said the UDA party was ridiculed as it did not have a gubernatorial candidate in Meru.
“I have decided to vie and I will be campaigning with Kathuri,” he said.
