Meru Woman Aspirant Representative Felicity Nkirote Biriri and Former Woman Rep Florence Kajuju have traded accusations over campaign strategies as political competition for the seat ahead of the 2027 General Election intensifies.
The exchange followed Kajuju’s attack on Biriri, whom she described as a “copycat” for allegedly adopting campaign tactics used by other politicians, including distributing free planting seeds to farmers during campaign trails.
In a social media post, Kajuju mocked Biriri for accompanying Governor aspirant Mithika Linturi and senatorial aspirant Mugambi Imanyara on their campaign tours, accusing her of relying on other politicians to mobilise support.
“Wewe endelea kubebwa tu. 2022 ulibebwa na Gv K (Governro Kiraitu Murungi) na pia sisi na ukagonga ukuta. Hii safari pia unabebwa,” Kajuju wrote, suggesting Biriri would again fail to win the seat.
She also accused Biriri of lacking originality and claimed she could not organise political meetings independently, further alleging that she was using other people’s branding on water tanks and adding her name.
But Biriri dismissed the accusations, saying campaign strategies were not private property and that no politician had exclusive rights to particular methods of mobilisation or voter engagement.
She argued that political ideas and approaches could be borrowed, adapted and improved, saying successful campaign models naturally inspired others.
“If a campaign strategy is working, others may learn from it. And if mine inspires someone, I take it as a compliment,” Biriri said.
She maintained that elections were not won through slogans, branding or claims of originality, but through public trust, demonstrated capacity and the ability to convince voters.
“Rather than spend precious political energy arguing about who copied whom, let us focus on the issues affecting our people and what each of us intends to do about them,” she said.
Biriri added that voters would ultimately determine who deserved the seat, saying the ballot was not a platform for settling disputes over campaign methods.
“The ballot is not a copyright tribunal. It is where the people make their choice. They know what they want. Mbele iko sawa. Let the people decide,” she said.
