Former Restore and Build Kenya party executives are demanding Sh273 million to surrender it and in exchange for the party being renamed Devolution Empowerment Party, according to a group associated with Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, who appears to have acquired it (DEP) party.
According to the new (DEP) party Secretary-General Mugambi Imanyara, the money was broken into legal fees of Sh706,000, the value of external investments which are not specified – one to be paid $317,578.20 (Sh34,933,602) and the other Sh237,527,840.70
The takeover of RBK was challenged before the Political Parties Dispute Resolution Tribunal by Mr Aloysius Okoth Mondoh and Mr Peter Gordon Ochieng Odeng, but their plea to stop the new leadership was dismissed.
“Mr. Mondoh made numerous requests to the (DEP) party chairman former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti and I during a meeting. Among the demands was that the chairman and I pay him approximately Sh273,383,373,” Imanyara said.
On August 17, 2021, Kiraitu Murungi and other Mt Kenya East political leaders were temporarily blocked from taking over Restore and Build Kenya party of Prof James ole Kiyiapi.
The Political Parties Dispute Tribunal has granted two petitioners orders restraining the new officers from assuming office until the matter is heard and determined.
Alloysius Okotch and Peter Ondeng secured the orders and were directed to serve all the parties.
The duo challenged the appointment of Watson Kimathi, Rael Murungi, Joseph Kipwambok, Njagi M’Muga, Eunice Karema, Emilio Mureithi Kathuri, Ruth Nkoroi, Pamela Gitobu, Mutuma Dennis, Joseph Mulongo, and Zeyruq Ahmed Sheik as RBK officials.
Several Meru County politicians have said that Kiraitu Murungi is attempting to force his way into another political party but is being pushed away.
According to Hon. Ayub Bundi, a member of the County Assembly for Abothuguchi Central ward, the party has six members from the community who hold senior positions in the Meru County government, including Kimathi Ntuerandu, Pamela Gakii, DMK, Mutuma Kibanga Wakili, Mugambi Imanyara, and Raeri Murungi.
“Kiraitu Murungi parked the bus, removed the wheels, and sold the remaining body parts as scrap metal. They should not try to persuade the Meru people that they are rebranding the party because, before choosing 5 officials from the Abogeta West community and a sixth member as former Njia Ward MCA Eunice, they should have considered choosing an official from Igembe North, Igembe South, Tigania, and other communities,” Hon. Ayub said.
Hon. Ayub Bundi said that when we refer to officials from coming from the same community, he meant the upper Abogeta.
He said that the people of Meru should recognize that Kiraitu Murungi has politically expired.
