Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced plans to convene a meeting of political leaders from the Mt Kenya region to address growing political violence and goonism ahead of the 2027 General Election. The meeting aims to restore political tolerance and ensure disagreements do not degenerate into violence. Kindiki stated this during a tour of Kiambu County, as part of a mandate given to him by councils of elders from communities in the region to promote unity, reconciliation, and development.
Kindiki emphasized that the region has experienced competition among leaders since the return of multiparty politics, but maintained that political rivalry had not previously reached the level of violence witnessed in recent months. He announced that he would lead by example by avoiding exchanges with leaders from the region who have continued to attack him politically, choosing instead to forgive them and focus on bringing the region together.
The Deputy President's announcement comes against a backdrop of several incidents of violence, including the disruption of a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in January, and clashes during protests in Murang'a town and Mwea in June last year. Similar violence was witnessed during demonstrations over rising fuel prices in May this year, heightening fears that political competition in the region is increasingly being accompanied by organised violence.
Kindiki stressed that the region could not afford to return to a political culture in which disagreements were settled through intimidation and violence. He urged politicians to put the interests of residents ahead of personal and political rivalries and create a platform where differences could be discussed without hostility.
The Deputy President also inspected government development projects in Kiambu County, including roads and other infrastructure projects being implemented in the Kiambaa and Gatundu South constituencies. He stated that the national government was implementing 1,656 kilometres of road projects in Kiambu at a cost of about Sh152 billion, aiming to improve transport and stimulate local economies.
Kindiki also mentioned that the government was at an advanced stage of designing the proposed Thika-Nairobi Expressway, which is expected to provide an alternative route for motorists and ease pressure on the existing Thika Superhighway. Several roads in Kiambaa were either under construction or nearing completion, and the government is also constructing 29 modern markets in Kiambu.
The Deputy President concluded that the government is working to develop the country step by step, project by project, kilometre by kilometre for the advancement of the nation. He expressed his commitment to following up on all the roads under construction in the 12 constituencies in Kiambu, ensuring that they improve local economies, especially in rural areas.
Key points
- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to convene a meeting of Mt Kenya leaders to address growing political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- The meeting aims to restore political tolerance and ensure disagreements do not degenerate into violence.
- Kindiki also inspected government development projects in Kiambu County, including roads and infrastructure projects worth Sh152 billion.
