Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on Mt Kenya leaders to put aside their political differences and unite. He made the remarks in Tharaka Nithi on Sunday, days after Mt Kenya elders installed him as the region's kingpin at Kirigiti stadium in Kiambu County. The elders decreed that Kindiki would be the region's unifying factor ahead of the 2027 General Election. Kindiki addressed residents at Gachiongo Market, rallying them behind the government's development agenda.
Kindiki emphasized that political differences should not tear apart communities with a shared history, interests, and aspirations. He stated that he had taken the elders' call seriously and would spearhead reconciliation and unity in the region. Kindiki promised to honour the elders' guidance as he reaches out to communities in Mt Kenya East and West and forges a common political voice. He signaled the start of his bid to unite the region and get people behind President William Ruto's re-election bid.
The Mt Kenya elders gathered at Kirigiti Stadium and declared Kindiki a unifying factor for the region. They called for unity among the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Mbeere communities and urged the region to remain politically united ahead of the 2027 elections. The elders declared support for President Ruto's administration and tasked Kindiki with rallying the region behind Ruto's re-election. Kindiki's first major engagement after the Kirigiti event was inspecting the Mukothima-Gaciongo-Gatunga Road project in Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku had been a vocal crusader for a potential split of Mt Kenya into east and west, arguing that the Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi had suffered injustice in resource allocation in the past. Kindiki 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.
Kindiki revealed that the elders had directed those involved in the debate about dividing the mountain to give them two months to address the matter. He stated that he had been instructed by the elders to stop responding to his political opponents and focus on development. Kindiki's role, according to the elders, is to unite the people, pursue development for Kenyans across all communities, and seek development for Mt Kenya communities.
Kindiki has begun putting the elders' directive into practice, combining his unity message with a series of development engagements across Mt Kenya East region. He forgave those who had insulted and disrespected him, asking them to join him in building the nation and communities together. However, he took a swipe at Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who had expressed interest in becoming President.
Kindiki expressed his commitment to working with all leaders to achieve development in the region. He emphasized that his focus would be on pursuing development, including roads, electricity, water, and other services for the people. Kindiki's efforts aim to bring unity and development to the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Key points
- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been endorsed by Mt Kenya elders as the region's unifying factor.
- Kindiki has called on leaders to put aside their political differences and unite.
- He has begun a series of development engagements across Mt Kenya East region to promote unity and development.
