Raila the chief guest as Mt Kenya Foundation set to hold luncheon to unite regional kingpins ahead of 2022 polls
By James Macharia, September 27, 2021
President Uhuru Kenyatta loyalists in the Mt Kenya region are expected to host a luncheon at Safari Park hotel tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss region preparedness for next year’s general election.
This is the second meeting within two months after leaders from Mount Kenya East led by Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi hosted a similar event at the same hotel where they declared to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Tomorrow’s event was revived following its cancellation last week after what was speculated as difference between officials on the invite of Raila Odinga while it was supposed to be a regional meeting.
A reliable source has hinted that Raila Odinga has been invited as a friend of the Mount Kenya region.
Odinga’s son, the late Fidel Odinga was married from the region and thus they consider him as Muthoniwa (In-law), the source argues.
The meeting is expected to bring together top leaders from the region among them governors, senators as well as church leaders.
Mount Kenya Foundation plays a key role in every electioneering period as they help to mobilize funds to support presidential candidates from the region.
Its officials include Equity Bank tycoon Peter Munga and Wilfred Murungi, who is the owner of Mastermind Tobacco Kenya (MTK).
Other members include Michael Waweru, who is the former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) boss, and Mutuma Nkanata who is the coordinator of the group.
They did it in both 2013 as well as in 2017 elections.
Lapsset Board chairman Titus Ibui is the vice-chairman of the foundation.
Last month, Ibui and Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi led a powerful group of Meru leaders, the business community, and professionals to declare support for the opposition chief in his quest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta next year.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has escalated his forays into the vote-rich Mt Kenya, securing the crucial endorsement of key Meru leaders and business tycoons.
On Monday, Odinga held a meeting with a section of Mount Kenya governors at Nanyuki ahead of tomorrow’s event.