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The initiative to bring together the former GEMA grouping—which comprises the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru communities, and to which the Akamba was integrated yesterday—started in earnest yesterday following the formation of a lobby group to push for the Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s presidential bid.

 In a move that is likely to cause political realignments in the coming days, leaders who spoke during the event at All Saints’ Cathedral yesterday hyped Kalonzo as the best-suited individual to take on President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential contest.

Speakers who included religious leaders and community tribal heads, said the time has come for the other GEMA communities to support Kalonzo to reciprocate his good gesture of supporting former President Kibaki when he was in need of support after the 2007 political debacle.

Drawn from various parts of Mt Kenya and the Eastern region, every leader who took to the podium said it was time Kenya changed the current leadership to a transformative leadership that is not tainted.

Building Gema

A close ally of Kalonzo, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo later told the People Daily that plans were afoot to form a strong coalition bringing together all the communities in GEMA.

“This is the start of the formation of a strong and winning coalition to dethrone the current regime. Many other communities outside GEMA are also joining,” Maanzo said. 

According to Maanzo plans to establish an expansive political wheel to propel the coalition to power was in the offing.

“What I can assure you is that there will be a powerful party for Mount Kenya while the Jubilee party will be revamped, these parties will join other likeminded parties including Wiper to former a coalition that will whitewash Kenya Kwanza,” Maanzo revealed.

He said former minister George Ndoto represented the Akamba team in the meeting and stated that he had the blessings of Kalonzo to attend.

“We are coming up today as we set the agenda for this country. By welcoming the Akamba community we are simply saying that the days ahead will not be the same. We want GEMA to be on the negotiation table of this country and by this one, we are not turning back,” said former provincial administrator Joseph Kaguthi.

All-inclusive coalition

Kaguthi said GEMA was vouching for an all-inclusive coalition that was geared towards addressing the common problems Kenyans have been addressing.

What raised eyebrows during the meeting was the presence of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s uncle, George Muhoho, a former cabinet minister during the Moi presidency and a close ally of Kenya’s third president Mwai Kibaki.

Some close allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also attended the meeting, sending feelers that he could be part of the larger team.

“The Akamba community shares common problems with those in GEMA,” Muhoho said.

“This is now the way to go. We are not vouching for tribalism but we are vouching for such coalitions. Kenya will be in very safe hands if lobbies like GEMA sit down and churn the way forward for Kenya,” said Muhoho.

GEMA chairman, retired Methodist Church of Kenya head, Bishop Lawi Imathiu who read the lobby’s statement said the current state of Kenya required reflection and people having to speak in one voice.

“We don’t have a Mt Kenya East or West; we only have one Mt Kenya and Akamba re part of this region. We welcome them with whole hands as we urge them to be part of us as we think of what is ahead of us. It’s only fools who don’t plan for their future,’ he said.

Introducing policies

Former National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) General Secretary Peter Karanja took a swipe at President Ruto for introducing policies that were hurting the common Kenyan.

“We are witnessing a trend where it must be through public uproar for the government to reject them. Things like Adani could have waited for uproar and the US for the President to revoke them. We are also concerned about the slowness we are witnessing as far as the appointment of IEBC commissioners is concerned. Nothing is working while we all remember how the Kalonzo-Kibaki alliance worked miracles in Kenya,” said Karanja. Wachira Kiago, the national chairman of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, commended his efforts to foster unity and reconciliation.

Kiago emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions in promoting growth and cooperation within the region.

Drawing upon past collaborations during elections, Kiago pledged ongoing support for Kalonzo’s endeavours, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace and prosperity.

He said the ongoing talks will help to promote growth and cooperation. “We will continue preaching peace across the Country because that is our key mandate, ’Kiago said.

On his part, Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu said welcoming the Akamba Community to the GEMA was a step in the right direction saying the surpassed mere political maneuvering, aiming instead for a society characterized by cohesion and harmony, transcending past divisions that have hindered progress.

“GEMA has to be united and by incorporating the AKamba community, we can make the region better,” he said.

Other leaders present were former Kiambu Governor Francis Waititu, Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe, and a host of leaders from both Kikuyu and Kamba communities.