Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s isolation in the Mt Kenya region continued yesterday when over 2, 000 Njuri Ncheke elders broke ranks with him and endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki as their link to President William Ruto.

The elders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi led by their chairman Adrian Aruyaru who met at Nchiru shrine, Tigania west, said Prof Kindiki was the senior most politician from the region apparently working closely with President Ruto.

The elders claimed that Gachagua was apparntly not working in sync with the President and therefore cannot be relied upon to push for their agenda in the government .

They disclosed that they had resolved to endorse the CS because he is close to the President compared to his deputy who is seen fighting the latter .

“We have decided to disown Gachagua and pick our son who has proved to deliver to this nation and that is Prof Kindiki and that is the person we want to represent the people from this region,” Anyaru said.

They said Njuri Ncheke has always worked closely with the government and was not keen on supporting leaders opposed to the government.

“Besides being our son, Prof Kindiki is working closely with the president to deliver development across the country. We endorse Prof Kindiki as the region kingpin and spokesman. He will be the link between our people and the president,” Aruyaru said.

The elders said they would also continue to support Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki and Meru’s Kawira Mwangaza.

Last week, 500 elders drawn from Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi Counties had also endorsed Kindiki as their link with President Ruto.