Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku/ FILE
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has urged Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya and Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP-Mbus) leader Lenny Kivuti to work with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Speaking during public meetings in Chuka/Igambang'ombe Constituency in Tharaka Nithi County and Kiritiri in Embu County on Thursday, Ruku said the three leaders should not allow themselves to be sidelined in the region's political realignment.
He said recent political developments showed that they were no longer valued on the other side and called on them to instead unite behind Kindiki to strengthen the Mt Kenya East region's influence within government.
According to Ruku, Muturi, Munya and Kivuti remain influential political leaders whose experience and support are important in advancing the interests of the region.
He said working with the Deputy President would strengthen Mt Kenya East's bargaining power while ensuring residents continue benefiting from national government development programmes.
"The time has come for our leaders to work together. Justin Muturi, Peter Munya and Lenny Kivuti have served this region and should work with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki so that together we can push the development agenda for our people," Ruku said.
The Cabinet Secretary also criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's style of politics, saying it had led to disagreements with several leaders over time.
He further claimed that some leaders from Mt Kenya East risked being sidelined if they remained in political formations that, in his view, no longer appreciated their contribution.
The Cabinet Secretary also alleged that efforts to distance the Mt Kenya region from the national government could deny residents opportunities associated with ongoing government development programmes.
He urged residents to continue supporting President William Ruto's administration, saying the government's record should be judged by projects being implemented across the region.
Among the projects he highlighted were the Kiambere-New Site Road, the Machanga-PI Road and the Kamburu Bulk Water Project in Embu County, saying they would improve transport, expand access to clean water and stimulate economic activity.
Ruku said the Kenya Kwanza administration, under President William Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki, remained committed to accelerating development through investments in roads, water, electricity and other public infrastructure across Mt Kenya East.
He also dismissed suggestions that the political direction of the region could be determined by a single individual, saying leadership should be driven by the collective interests of residents.
His remarks came after Kindiki appealed to political leaders from the Mt Kenya East region, including Muturi, Munya and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking during a meeting with grassroots women leaders from Meru County at his Irunduni home in Tharaka Nithi, the Deputy President said leaders who felt disrespected or undervalued in their current political formations should "come back home" and work together for the region's development.
"I have seen that our brothers have started being treated with contempt. I want to tell them to come on board so that we can work together because we are one people," Kindiki said.
He maintained that he had no personal differences with the leaders and said he was ready to work with them despite past political disagreements, arguing that the Meru, Embu and Kikuyu communities had historically shared political, cultural and economic ties.
