After going dormant for weeks after Kenya Kwanza took office, the former secretary of state for agriculture, Peter Munya, has “emerged back” into the political arena.
A close supporter of Azimio leader Raila Odinga, the ex-CS has recently taken a more passive role in Azimio operations and was absent from the scene at last Friday’s Saba Saba protest.
However, Munya declared on Monday that he was going to organise three rallies on Wednesday: one in the morning in Meru town, one in the afternoon in Muthara market, and one in the evening in Maua town.
Raila called the gathering so that his followers could keep up the pressure on President William Ruto’s administration over its inability to reduce taxation and expenses for daily life.
“I am going to take over three Azimio rallies in Meru County on July 12, 2023. The unbearably high cost of living and instability in the area will be on the agenda, “according to Munya.
Raila has changed tactics and assigned Azimio leaders to organise demonstrations in their respective zones.
The earlier agreement called for all Azimio leaders to gather in Nairobi to organise the protests.
For instance, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka led the demonstrations in Kathiani in Machakos County on Friday during the Saba Saba rally.
The demonstrations against Kenya Kwanza’s rule, he said, had only begun.
From January 14, 2020, through October 20, 2022, Munya held the position of CS for Agriculture.
The outgoing CS turned over the reins to Mithika Linturi, his replacement.
Prior to being chosen to succeed Mwangi Kiunjuri in the Agriculture docket, Munya worked as the Trade CS from 2018 to 2020.
Previously, in 2018, he served as the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the EAC ministry. Prior to this, he served as an assistant minister in the grand coalition administration of the late President Mwai Kibaki.
In 2006, Munya also held the position of Assistant Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security.
He ended up being the first governor of Meru County from 2013 until 2017.
In 2017, he ran for the job but was defeated by incumbent governor Kiraitu Murungi.