Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has defended his recent remarks on the politics of the Mt Kenya region, insisting that he is not advocating division but calling for what he describes as fairness and political recognition for Mt Kenya East.

Speaking at a public event, Ruku dismissed accusations that he is splitting the region, saying his position is rooted in historical facts and the need for equitable political representation.

“I’m not splitting the mountain. I’m just saying the truth,” Ruku said.

The CS has noted that he is just against the unfair treatment of the Mount Kenya East region.

“The unfair treatment has to come to an end,” Ruku added.

The Cabinet Secretary argued that while the Mt Kenya region has remained united throughout Kenya’s political history, counties in the eastern bloc, Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi, have for decades supported leaders from the western side of the region without complaint.

“We fought for the independence of our nation together as a mountain. We have been in government together through the administrations of Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and even William Ruto. We formed these governments together as a people,” he said.

Ruku defends regional equity

Ruku has maintained that his message is not about breaking the unity of Mt Kenya but about ensuring that every part of the region receives equal political respect and recognition.

The CS has further singled out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of resisting the changing political reality despite the region now having Deputy President Kithure Kindiki from Mt Kenya East.

“And what I’m telling him is that that arrogance has to come to an end. He was a Deputy President of Kenya from Mt Kenya West. We now have a Deputy President of Kenya from Mt Kenya East. So why would the government be wrong when we have a Deputy President from the other side of the mountain?” Ruku posed.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, leaders and residents of Mt Kenya East have consistently backed their counterparts from Mt Kenya West for more than six decades and are now asking for the same goodwill.

“We have supported the West over the years, again and again, for more than 60 years, and we have never complained. This unfair treatment has to come to an end,” Ruku said.

He added that the Kenya Kwanza administration was formed through the collective support of the entire Mt Kenya region and that no single section should claim exclusive ownership of the government’s leadership.

Ruku also cited development indicators to support his argument that different parts of the region have experienced unequal treatment, pointing to Kiambu County’s electricity connectivity of more than 90 per cent as an example of disparities that should be openly discussed.

His recent remarks have underscored his growing political narrative in which he has insisted that Mt Kenya East has to chart its own political path, insisting that equity in leadership and development should replace what he has pointed out as decades of political imbalance.