Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged leaders in the Mt Kenya region to respect elders' calls for unity despite political differences and competing party affiliations. Speaking in Kieni, Nyeri County, Kindiki said elders had tasked him with ensuring Mt Kenya does not become divided into East and West along political lines. He emphasized that politicians should be allowed to compete peacefully while voters make the final decision at the ballot.
The call for unity comes amid a growing political debate over whether Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West should maintain a common political position or pursue separate political interests ahead of the 2027 election. Mt Kenya East includes Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi counties, while Mt Kenya West comprises Kiambu, Murang'a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and Nyandarua counties. The region carries significant electoral weight, with 772,139 voters in Meru, 334,302 in Embu, and 231,932 in Tharaka Nithi, according to the IEBC's 2022 register.
Kindiki rejected efforts to portray the region as permanently divided, stating that Mt Kenya is one and cannot be divided. He cited the region's history of unity under Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta. The debate has drawn opposition from religious leaders, including Catholic Diocese of Embu Bishop Peter Kimani, who cautioned politicians against rhetoric that could deepen regional and ethnic divisions.
Some leaders, including Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, have advocated for a distinct political path for Mt Kenya East. Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi and Chuka/Igambang'ombe MP Patrick Munene have also called for the eastern bloc to chart its own political course. In August, leaders from Mt Kenya East backed Kindiki and called on the western side to support his political ambitions.
Kindiki has continued to present himself as a bridge between Mt Kenya East and West. In September, elders from the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities endorsed Kindiki as a unifying figure for the wider region. The meeting aimed to rebuild cooperation between the eastern and western blocs. Kindiki also called for restraint during political contests, warning against violence and attacks between supporters of rival formations.
During his visit to Nyeri, Kindiki launched road construction in Chaka Township and highlighted development projects in the region. He announced that Nyeri County had been allocated Sh45 billion for 775 kilometers of roads and that 32,000 households had benefited from last-mile electricity connections. Kindiki emphasized his focus on development over political exchanges, saying elders had instructed him to let his actions speak.
Kindiki also announced plans to meet senior police officers to discuss measures to intensify the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs. The Deputy President was accompanied by Energy Cabinet Secretary Alex Wachira and Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga. Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina and Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi expressed support for the government's development agenda.
Key points
- Kindiki calls for unity in Mt Kenya region ahead of 2027 election.
- The region carries significant electoral weight with over 3 million registered voters.
- Kindiki rejects division of Mt Kenya into East and West, citing the region's history of unity.
