Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on Mt Kenya leaders to put aside their differences and unite the region ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Tharaka Nithi on Sunday, Prof Kindiki said he had taken the elders' call seriously and would spearhead reconciliation and unity in the region. He promised to honour the elders' guidance as he reaches out to communities in Mt Kenya East and West and forges a common political voice.
The call for unity comes after Mt Kenya elders converged at Kirigiti stadium in Kiambu County and installed Prof Kindiki as the region's kingpin. At the event, the elders decreed that the Deputy President would be the region's unifying factor. They also declared support for President William Ruto's administration and tasked Kindiki with rallying the region behind Ruto's re-election bid.
Prof Kindiki and a section of local leaders addressed residents at Gachiongo Market and rallied them behind the Government's development agenda. He said political differences should not be allowed to tear apart communities with a shared history, interests and aspirations. The Deputy President warned leaders against political differences that would weaken the region's national standing.
He called for an end to attempts to split Mt Kenya along East-West lines, arguing that the communities have stronger historical, cultural and economic ties. The elders had also directed those involved in the debate about dividing the mountain to give them two months to address the matter. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku had been a vocal crusader for a potential split of Mt Kenya into east and west.
Prof Kindiki has now begun putting the elders' directive into practice, combining his unity message with a series of development engagements across Mt Kenya East region. He inspected the Mukothima-Gaciongo-Gatunga Road project in Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County. The Deputy President said he had forgiven those who have insulted and disrespected him and was asking them to join him in building the nation and communities together.
However, Prof Kindiki took a swipe at Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, saying he felt sorry for his brother who is going around saying that he wants to be President. Kindiki said Kalonzo had held several high-profile positions, including Vice President and Minister, yet had not constructed a road to his home. He promised that President William Ruto and he would help Kalonzo.
The Deputy President's efforts to unite Mt Kenya come as political activity intensifies in the region, with rival groups seeking to influence the 2027 elections. Prof Kindiki's message of unity and development is seen as a bid to rally the region behind President Ruto's re-election bid. The region's elders have played a significant role in promoting unity and guiding the region's leaders.
Key points
- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on Mt Kenya leaders to unite the region ahead of the 2027 General Election
- The elders' endorsement of Prof Kindiki as the region's kingpin and unifying factor has given him a mandate to spearhead reconciliation and unity in the region
- Prof Kindiki has begun putting the elders' directive into practice, combining his unity message with a series of development engagements across Mt Kenya East region
