 In October 2016, Governor Peter Munya was elected the leader of the Party of National Unity at the party's National Delegates Conference in Nairobi.At the same delegates conference PNU also resolved to field candidates in every elective post in the year 2017 elections, except the President.During the 8 August 2017 election, Munya was defending his gubernatorial seat against his rival, former Meru County Senator, Kiraitu Murungi.