The Mountain Journal
Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has rubbished a
section of political leaders in Murang’a and Nyeri who are pressuring EACC to
taint his image to block him from being the Mt Kenya spokesman.
He said he remains a strong person to be the Mt Kenya region
political kingpins to guide the region.
Iria disclosed there five leaders in the two counties were
working towards blocking him from ascending the regional kingpin position.
In a press conference, the immediate former governor
and Usawa Kwa Wote Party leader said a section of leaders were using
EACC to silence him, a move he will not succumb to.
“There are leaders surrounding President William Ruto
plotting to sabotage my interest in Central Kenya politics,”he said.
He disclosed that in January, he will be flying to
Geveva to register Murang’a people to protest against Delmonte Kenya Limited
continued use of the land where Kandara people were violently displaced.
“ Am disappointed that during my time in office I resisted
all the attempts to renew the Delmonte land leases. Am getting the leases
renewed as the Kandara people continue with demand for the return
of land their forefathers lost to the white settlers,” said Iria.
He further renewed his energies to fight for the introduction
of Minimum Guaranteed Returns (MGR) for coffee, milk, rice,tea and other crops
that politicians advocated in their elections.
He said he was disturbed that the political leaders have
abandoned the farmers’ interests.
He said from January he will move around the mountain
to spread public needs.
” Am planning to take matters pertaining to land, and
water rights to Gevena to register public concerns, ” said the former
Governor.
He said Delmonte land issues will be taken for deliberation
in Gevena to ensure residents rights are respected.
On matters pertaining to Delmonte Kenya Limited land, he
said the community in Kandara has been fighting for the return of their
ancestral land.
He said it was a pity that when he was in government
objected to renewal of the land lease.
” There were alot of interests in the land but I am
surprised that the lease was renewed against the people’s interest” he
disclosed.
