Former Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has rejected proposals by some Kenya Kwanza leaders to persuade him to join President William Ruto's government.

During the memorial service for renowned Murang'a political strategist Moses Kang'ethe, the leaders led by Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Kangema MP Peter Kihungi pleaded with Wa Iria to quit Azimio and support the government.

PHOTO | COURTESY Mwangi wa Iria 

Wahome described her political conflicts with the former governor, claiming that despite their differences, they remained friends following Kang'ethe's intervention.

She stated that Wa Iria's political potential made it necessary for him to support the administration.

PHOTO | COURTESY Mwangi wa Iria Maintains loyalty to Azimio la Umoja Coalition

"Cross to the government side as Murang'a needs diversification politics to help push for development programmes," the secretary of state remarked.

However, the former governor dismissed the appeals, stating that he was better placed in Azimio as a political student of Raila, where most leaders, including President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, began their careers.

PHOTO | COURTESY Mwangi wa Iria Maintains loyalty to Azimio 

He stated that many of Raila's supporters had thrived politically and that no one should try to draw him out of the coalition.

The former Governor said it was unfortunate that political squabbles occurred during an outcry over the rising expense of living.“It's only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who has never been an ally to Raila. President Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, and Kalonzo Musyoka, among others, are political students of Raila,” said Iria.