Kalonzo team tours Kindiki turf as storm brews over roads fund

Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football

Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

The opposition is set to storm the political backyard of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki this weekend with a three-day charm offensive.

The Mt Kenya East tour comes amid escalating supremacy battles between Kindiki and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Opposition leaders led by Gachagua and Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka will pitch camp in Meru from Friday to Sunday.

They plan a series of rallies aimed at challenging Kindiki’s influence in the region and countering efforts to popularise President William Ruto.

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu confirmed the tour, saying the opposition will hold rallies across Meru county to consolidate support.

“Yes, I can confirm we will be in Meru from tomorrow. We will have a series of rallies,” Nyutu said.

The visit comes as the opposition sharpens its attack on the proposed Sh5 trillion National Infrastructure Fund and plans to partially sell the state’s stake in Safaricom.

The opposition caravan will snake through Chuka, Chogoria, Nkubu, Kariene, Meru town and Makutano on the first day.

The tour sets the stage for a fresh duel between Gachagua and Kindiki, both of whom are working to consolidate influence in the Mt Kenya region.

Kindiki has long regarded Mt Kenya East — Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties — as his political base.

But Gachagua has stepped up efforts to position himself as the region’s overall political kingpin following his dramatic fallout with President Ruto.

The rivalry between the two camps has intensified in recent months, with their allies competing for grassroots support and control of local political structures.

Political observers say the contest reflects a broader scramble for the Mt Kenya vote, one of the most decisive blocs in Kenya’s presidential elections.

Kindiki has projected confidence about his standing, with his allies pointing to back-to-back victories by the ruling party in recent by-elections as proof that the ground remains firm.

Even as the opposition prepares to roll into Meru, Kindiki has been traversing the area, inspecting development projects and meeting local leaders in what is widely seen as a strategy to reinforce the government’s development record.

Earlier this week, the Deputy President camped in Meru, where he inspected several multibillion-shilling projects and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fast-track development.

He also issued a warning to visiting opposition leaders.

“I hear some people plan to visit soon. When you do, come with respect. Don’t come with contempt,” Kindiki said.

“We have no issue with anybody as long as they come with respect. Come say your things and leave because we don’t like chaos.”

Among the flagship projects he inspected was the planned upgrade of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital from a Level 5 to a Level 6 national referral facility.

The upgrade is expected to expand access to specialised treatment for residents of Meru and neighbouring counties, many of whom currently travel to Nairobi or seek care in costly private hospitals.

“We are going to get the best medical personnel and equipment to ensure locals have access to high-quality health services,” Kindiki said.

The expansion includes new medical infrastructure and the installation of advanced diagnostic equipment such as MRI machines, CT scanners and dialysis units for a renal centre. Plans are also underway to establish a fully-fledged cancer treatment centre.

According to Kindiki, procurement of equipment, recruitment of specialists and expansion of infrastructure are being undertaken simultaneously to speed up delivery.

“All those things — procurement of equipment, construction and human resource alignment — are happening at the same time,” he said.

While the government showcases development projects, the opposition has intensified criticism of what it terms risky economic policies.

On Thursday, opposition leaders led by Gachagua and Kalonzo held a press conference at the SKM Centre in Nairobi.

Also present were DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi.

The leaders sharply criticised the proposed National Infrastructure Fund.

The fund has been presented by the government as a vehicle to mobilise large-scale capital for roads, energy and other national projects.

But the opposition argues that Kenya already has several public funds operating outside the main Treasury system, and that creating another could weaken oversight.

They warned that the proposal could undermine provisions of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which require public revenues to pass through the Consolidated Fund before expenditure.

On Safaricom, the leaders described the telecommunications giant as a strategic national asset that supports millions of transactions through M-Pesa and powers key government services.

They said the company generated about Sh48 billion in dividends to the state in the 2024 financial year, making it a reliable revenue stream.

“Divesting such an asset to address short-term budget gaps is the economic equivalent of selling a family’s most productive farm to cover routine expenses,” the statement said.

The opposition also raised national security concerns, questioning who would be allowed to buy the shares and whether foreign state-linked investors would face restrictions.