Gachagua allies challenge Kindiki’s role in Mount Kenya — Nation Kenya

In Kenya, allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said that elders cannot determine the political leader of the Mount Kenya region. This came after elders tasked Deputy President Kithure Kindiki with representing the region’s interests, Nation Kenya reports.

Position of Gachagua’s allies

At a meeting in Embu County, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, speaking alongside other representatives of the Democracy for Citizens Party, said that the region’s political leader should be determined by its residents, not by elders. According to him, Gachagua remains the political leader of Mount Kenya.

Gachagua’s allies also said that the region is united around him. Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji accused President William Ruto of trying to divide Mount Kenya into eastern and western parts ahead of the 2027 elections. He also said that 60 billion Kenyan shillings are allegedly being used for this purpose.

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Declaration by the elders

On Saturday, elders from the Kikuyu, Embu, Mbeere and Meru communities gathered at the Kirigiti grounds in Kiambu County. They endorsed Kindiki as the region’s representative and tasked him with advancing the interests of its communities without discrimination.

In their declaration, the elders stressed the need to preserve the region’s unity and prevent it from being divided as a result of political interests. They also declared their support for President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki on issues of peace, development, economic growth and prosperity.

Kindiki thanked the elders for their decision and promised to heed their advice. He said he would seek a fair share of development projects for the region, would not respond to insults, and called on Mount Kenya residents not to allow political differences to divide communities.