Peter Munya, a close associate of President Uhuru Kenyatta from the Mt. Kenya region, has taken on the role of the substantive leader of the Party of National Unity (PNU), the former ruling party previously associated with Late President Mwai Kibaki.
This development brings an end to a prolonged period of power struggles within the party. Munya had previously served as the PNU party leader until 2020 when he was appointed to the Cabinet by Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
After the 2017 elections, he lost the Meru governorship to Kiraitu Murungi. The recent leadership changes have effectively marginalized a faction led by former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi, who had also vied for the party leader position.
PNU announced several other leadership adjustments, including the appointment of a new Executive Director, Nelson Omondi, replacing Joel Kinyua Imitila. Zachariah Kinuthia, a former Education Chief Administrative Secretary, has been designated as PNU’s national organizing secretary.
With these significant shifts, it becomes apparent that the ex-president, Uhuru Kenyatta, is strategically establishing an alternative political force amid ongoing leadership disputes within his Jubilee party.