Musyimi, who joined TNA on Thursday, told a news conference at Parliament buildings that joined the party as it was most popular in the Mt Kenya region/FILE
Musyimi, who joined TNA on Thursday, told a news conference at Parliament buildings that joined the party as it was most popular in the Mt Kenya region.
“We all know that politics is local… in the area that I came from which is in Embu, TNA has become increasingly the party of choice. You cannot swim against the current however popular you may think you are,” he explained in defending his decision to ditch the Democratic Party (DP).
“As I thank DP and wish them well… I have moved on and I will be seeking my candidature on TNA,” declared the presidential hopeful.
He denied reports that the Democratic Party had rejected his application for the party’s presidential ticket.
Immediately after launching presidential his bid, the Gachoka MP ran into trouble with Vijana Progressive Alliance (ViPA) which complained that Musyimi was using its party symbol – a burning candle – without authority.
This forced him to back down and was even said to be considering running as an independent candidate, until DP chairman Chris Murungaru and Secretary General Joseph Munyao suggested that he run on the party’s ticket.
“As I thank DP and wish them well… I have moved on and I will be seeking my candidature on TNA,” declared the presidential hopeful.
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed Musyimi to The National Alliance and hailed his move as a demonstration of the momentum and support the party has as it heads towards the 2013 elections.
“Today I’m proud to welcome Mutava Musyimi to the TNA; Kenya’s fastest growing political movement. Together, we will build a strong and focused party. I’m also pleased Mutava has declared his interest in seeking the presidential nomination of the party,” said the TNA leader.
The former General Secretary of National Council of Churches of Kenya explained that he had made the decision to ditch DP on Tuesday afternoon when he met the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“I needed to see the draft resolution that the NEC will be taking to the NDC (planned for Friday). I have been calling for that draft for well over three months now. I wanted to know what they will be presenting.” he said.
“I very reluctantly told the NEC that I would not be in a position to allow my name go forward for consideration of the flag bearer of the party.”
He also confirmed that he will defend his Gachoka seat if he loses the TNA presidential nominations setting the stage for a face-off with President Mwai Kibaki’s former aide-de-camp Colonel (rtd) Geoffrey King’ang’i Muturi who resigned to contest the seat.
He said; “Politics is a moving ship; where it is today is not where it was a month ago. And his entry is certainly one of the factors (affecting my decision towards defending my seat).”
He is a first time Member of Parliament who vied and won the Gachoka parliamentary seat in 2007 on a PNU ticket. Musyimi was at one time touted as a potential compromise presidential candidate.