Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Ruku, has revealed that the intervention of elders from the Mt Kenya region led him to abandon his campaign for a distinct Mt Kenya East political identity. The elders, drawn from different parts of the Mt Kenya region, persuaded him that his advocacy for equitable development and political representation could be pursued more effectively through a united region speaking with one voice. This change of heart came after a gathering at Kirigiti in Kiambu county.
According to Ruku, the Kirigiti gathering marked a turning point in his political advocacy. The elders urged him to drop his push for a distinction between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West and devote his efforts to building unity across the region. They also endorsed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as a spokesperson for the region, which was part of Ruku's push for a distinct Mt Kenya East. Ruku said he accepted the elders' counsel due to their experience and understanding of the region's history.
Ruku's earlier campaign for greater recognition of Mt Kenya East was driven by longstanding disparities in leadership and development, particularly in roads and infrastructure. He noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration under President William Ruto has begun addressing some of these concerns, but a section of political leaders from Mt Kenya West were not happy with it. This informed his campaign, which highlighted road projects in Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Mwea, and Isiolo.
Ruku cited his former constituency as an example of the infrastructure deficit he had been highlighting. When he was elected MP in 2022, the constituency had only 37 kilometres of tarmacked roads despite its large geographical area. He said 20 kilometres have since been completed under the Kenya Kwanza administration, while another 45 kilometres were under construction. This development gap informed his earlier advocacy for a stronger political voice for Mt Kenya East.
However, Ruku maintained that such development demands could now be pursued without creating political divisions between the eastern and western sections of Mt Kenya. He dismissed claims that his change of position amounted to an admission that his earlier campaign had failed, saying it was instead the result of the elders' intervention and their appeal for the region to remain united. Ruku said the elders were motivated by the long-term interests of the community rather than personal or political gain.
Ruku renewed his criticism of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of turning a personal political dispute with Parliament into a broader community issue. He challenged Gachagua to engage the elders publicly and allow them to explain the decision they reached at Kirigiti rather than continue contesting their position. Ruku said the elders had acted independently and that their decision should be respected.
The CS said the region should now work together under Kindiki's leadership rather than allow political differences to deepen divisions within Mt Kenya or between the region and the President. He stated that Kindiki's position as Deputy President had given Mt Kenya East an opportunity to demonstrate that political leadership of the region need not always come from Mt Kenya West.
Key points
- The elders' intervention led Ruku to abandon his campaign for a distinct Mt Kenya East political identity.
- Ruku endorsed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as a spokesperson for the Mt Kenya region.
- Ruku criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for contesting the elders' decision.
