Deputy President Kithure Kindiki/DPCS
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged leaders in the Mt Kenya region to heed elders’ call for unity despite their political differences.
Kindiki said elders had tasked him, as the region’s seniormost leader, with ensuring that Mt Kenya remains united and is not divided into East and West along political and party lines.
“I have clear orders to unite Mt Kenya region. We might be affiliated to different formations but the elders requested me to ensure peaceful political contests. Aspirants will sell their agenda and voters will decide who to vote for,” he said.
The Deputy President spoke on Friday while inspecting development projects in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County. His remarks came days after elders drawn from the Kikuyu, Embu, Mbeere and Meru communities endorsed him as the spokesperson of the wider Mt Kenya region.
Kindiki said he would respect the elders’ directive and work towards preserving the region’s unity.
“Mt Kenya is one. There is no East or West. We cannot divide it. It has always been one. It was one during the leadership of Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. It will remain one. We must protect and bequeath it as one to the next generations,” he said.
The Deputy President also linked regional unity to development, saying he would continue pushing for government projects across Mt Kenya.
He highlighted ongoing projects worth billions of shillings, including road construction, markets, electricity connections and sports infrastructure.
In Nyeri County, Kindiki said the government had allocated KSh45 billion for the construction of 775 kilometres of roads across the county’s six constituencies.
He also launched the construction of roads in Chaka Township and directed the contractor to complete the works within the stipulated timelines. Modern markets are also under construction in the county, while work on Ruringu Stadium in Nyeri Town is ongoing.
Kindiki said 32,000 households in Nyeri had already benefited from the last-mile electricity programme, with a further 12,000 households expected to be connected following an additional allocation of Sh650 million.
He also pointed to increased earnings for farmers following reforms in the agricultural sector, particularly in coffee, tea and dairy farming.
“This is what we are focused on. To develop every part of the country. To put more earnings in the pockets of farmers and improve the lives of the people,” he said.
Kindiki further urged Mt Kenya leaders and residents to avoid violence during political contests, saying political competition should not result in conflict between communities.
“We should not allow violence to take over our politics. We are not a region known for violence despite political differences. We are wealth creators not destroyers. We should not attack each other. Everyone should sell their agenda and voters will decide. The winner serves all and the loser waits for their time,” he said.
The Deputy President said he had also taken note of the elders’ request that he avoid political insults and instead focus on uniting the region and promoting development.
“The elders asked me to let actions speak and ensure development continues in the region. You will not see me engage in a competition over insults,” he said.
Kindiki also announced plans to convene a meeting with senior police officers next week to discuss measures to intensify the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs in the region.
Leaders accompanying the Deputy President expressed support for the government's development agenda. Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina said local leaders would continue supporting the administration because of the development projects being implemented in the region.
“We will support the government because it has brought development to our people. We are grateful to the Deputy President for being in the forefront pushing for completion of the projects and allocation of more,” Wainaina said.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi also pledged support, saying the region would reciprocate the support it had received from Kindiki and other leaders.
“You have stood with us since Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta. We will return this favour this time around to our people of Meru and Tharaka Nithi,” Wamumbi said.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Alex Wachira and Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga were among the leaders who accompanied the Deputy President.
