Betrayal? Lee Njiru Backs UDA Candidate Against Moi's Son in Rongai MP Race

Lee Njiru, the late former president Daniel arap Moi's long-serving press secretary, has stunned Kenyans after he endorsed UDA party candidate Paul Chebor for the Rongai parliamentary seat.

In what a section of Kenyans has interpreted as an act of betrayal, Njiru is backing Chebor against incumbent Rongai MP Raymond Moi, a son of the former president.

Njiru, who served as Moi’s press secretary for 42 years, says he withdrew his support for Raymond and decided to back Chebor due to the UDA political wave sweeping through Nakuru.

"It is not wise to go against the Ruto wave in the regions. Anybody going against the grain in the regions can definitely not survive. Nobody owns Kenyans. Kenyans are nobody's slaves. Equally, nobody owns the people of Rongai, they can always decide on their own," Njiru, 73, says.

On Wednesday, Njiru accompanied Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua and other Kenya Kwanza leaders to drum up support for Chebor in Rongai, Nakuru County.

Raymond, 62, is seeking to be re-elected for a third term on a Kanu party ticket in the Rongai Parliamentary election scheduled for Monday. His brother Gideon Moi lost his Baringo senatorial seat to UDA’s William Cheptumo in the just concluded general election.

Below are some reactions to Njiru’s move to back Chebor over Moi.

Lawyer Donald Kipkorir tweeted: "It seems it is now in vogue to betray “DYNASTIES.” Lee Njiru, a Junior civil servant owes his properties & literally life to President Daniel Arap Moi. Campaigning against Raymond Moi is betrayal of Julius Caesar by Brutus. No matter what, you don’t betray family of your Patron."

Gabriel Oguda wrote: "Lee Njiru has two chapters in his book dedicated to thanking President Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta for standing by him when malicious staff in Moi's office plotted to fire him from his job. The guy is now campaigning against Moi's son in Rongai. Kenyans are a thankless lot."

Former Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu said: "There are many different forms of Political Betrayal but Lee Njiru campaigning against Raymond Moi hurts the most. Betraying yourself. Shame!"

MK Murugu quipped: "Lee Njiru was like a child to the late President Moi. This world is actually cursed if Lee can even think of betraying Moi’s spirits by campaigning against his son in Rongai, Nakuru county. He is an example of unthankful lot."

Solomon Kuria said: "Anyone can fight the Moi Family but not Lee Njiru. How UNGRATEFUL can people be? Lee was Moi's most trusted man. Moi mentored & made Lee who he is today. Yesterday, he was in Rongai Constituency CAMPAIGNING against Raymond Moi. He was quoted saying that Mois must be finished!"