Njuri Ncheke elders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties have officially endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as their preferred representative to President William Ruto’s administration.

The elders made the announcement during a meeting held at their headquarters on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

The elders noted that the decision to back Kindiki, who hails from Meru and currently serves as the interior CS was based on his strong working relationship with President Ruto. The elders expressed confidence in Kindiki’s ability to serve as the region’s key liaison with the national government.

“As the Njuri Ncheke elders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, we have gathered here at our headquarters to endorse Kithure Kindiki, who works well with our president, William Ruto. Kithure Kindiki is our own son from Meru who is the Cabinet Secretary for Interior. Today, Njuri Ncheke in their numbers have endorsed Kindiki as our kingpin who will be our link to the government. We are asking him to speak to our president to bring us development. Njuri Ncheke has spoken, and once they do, there is no opposition,” one elder stated.

By endorsing Kindiki as the regional kingpin, the elders said they aim to solidify his role as a vital bridge between their communities and the national government, ensuring better representation and development in the region.

Gachagua out, Kindiki in

This endorsement comes just a week after elders from Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties severed ties with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who has for a long time been considered the dominant figure in the larger Mt. Kenya region. They threw their support behind Kindiki as the key link between the Mt. Kenya East region and the national government.

“We support the call for Prof. Kindiki to lead Mt. Kenya East’s engagement in national discussions that will create networks at the national level to move Kenya forward,” they stated.

The elders represented by Cyrus Ngeranwa and Mbiti Ruguongo from Njuri Njeke in Tharaka, expressed concerns over the rising political tensions in the Mt. Kenya region. They believe this unrest is diverting attention from essential development matters.

“While we recognize the president’s efforts to bring growth and prosperity, we are concerned about the rising political tension,” the elders said.

While they acknowledged President William Ruto’s efforts to appoint key leaders from Mt. Kenya East, including three Cabinet Secretaries, they emphasized the importance of focusing on development and unity instead of divisive political debates.

The elders also reiterated their commitment to holding the government accountable for delivering on promises made during the 2022 economic forums, particularly in areas like improving farmers’ livelihoods, addressing youth unemployment, and completing pledged development projects.