Meru governor, Peter Munya has announced his intention to run for President come 2022. But is this a decision he has made out of conviction that he stands a realistic chance to be the commander in chief? Certainly not and this is why.
First and foremost governor Munya's chances of being re-elected in 2017 are in jeopardy after Senator Kiraitu Murungi intimated that he will most likely consider the wishes of majority of Meru residents to be their governor.
If Kiraitu decides to run he will most likely be elected over Munya judging by his popularity in the county. He is regarded by majority of Meru residents as the senior most politician and the natural leader of the Ameru.
Governor Munya knows all too well that it will take more than the usual campaigns to fell the giant that is Kiraitu. In fact, it is believed that Munya owes his governorship to the support he got from Kiraitu in the 2013 polls. Senator Kiraitu's image among the Meru people is that of a national leader. He served as a minister and was one of the most powerful figures in former President Mwai Kibaki's government.
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For governor Munya to have an edge over Kiraitu, he must start marketing himself as a national leader as well. This is one of the reasons he has decided to declare an interest in the Presidency. By doing so, he hopes to present himself to the Meru people as the person who stands a better chance of leading Meru to the next level in national politics. He is younger than Kiraitu, who is technically a non-contender for the Presidency given his age.
Analysts believe that if the people of Meru are to consider a leader who will lead them to State House, Peter Munya will surely edge out Kiraitu Murungi.
The second reason why governor Munya could have declared his intention to run for the Presidency in 2022 is to enhance his chances of remaining relevant come 2017. If the people of Meru support his bid and decide to promote his dream by re-electing him in 2017, Peter Munya will use his political clout as a bargaining chip come 2022. Suppose the people of Mount Kenya, Meru included, decide to make good their promise to support William Ruto's bid for Presidency (bear in mind that this is still the only likely scenario so far) Peter Munya will bargain for the deputy President's position. By then he will have the entire Meru block behind him and this will enhance his chances tremendously.
Lastly, the good governor could just be gauging the political temperatures in readiness for the mother of all duels in Meru politics. The year 2017 will reveal a Peter Munya we have never seen. His announcement that he will gun for the top seat in 2022 is just an indicator of what he is capable of. Kiraitu Murungi is an accomplished and battle hardened politician but you can expect Munya's political artistry to shake the giant or even fell him.
