Calls for unity among Mt Kenya leaders intensify

Oliver Musembi and Mathew Ndung’u

Deputy President William Ruto’s perceived influence in the vote-rich Mt Kenya counties may diminish remarkably should the region field a presidential candidate or a running-mate.

 So far, leading lights in the region including National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi have come out in an effort to unite the Gema communities ahead of the General Election.

 “We are talking quietly and I am reaching out to bring our people together so that we can face the rest of the country as one,” Muturi said in Ruiru, Kiambu County, on Sunday.

 Speaking after attending St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, the Speaker who was recently crowned as the region’s spokesman stressed the need for all leaders from the region to unite for a common course.

 “Although we may have different opinions and affiliations, it is important that we bring our people together and consolidate our numbers which are our strength,” Muturi said.

Speak in one voice

Similarly, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has told leaders from the region to speak in one voice and shun any efforts to divide them ahead of the 2022 elections.

“Fungueni macho watu wetu na msikubali kugawanywa kisiasa. Msipojipanga mtapangwa (it is time for us to be alert and refuse to be divided politically. If you are disorganised you will be easily derailed),” said Kabogo.

While hinting that he will be offering himself as a presidential candidate, Kabogo said efforts are ongoing to unite warring leaders from the region in a bid to have a unity of purpose ahead of the next general election.

Speaking at Gatuanyaga village in Thika East during the burial of Hellen Wanjiru, a daughter to former MCA Cecilia Wamaitha, Kabogo said the ongoing meetings to unite leaders from the region could end their differences and possibly see them unite and chart a common front.

First meeting

“We had the first meeting in Nyeri and soon we will be going to Meru because we want our people to remain as one. We shall crisscross the entire region to ensure that going forward, we will be speaking as one,” said the former governor.

Kabogo who was accompanied by Governor James Nyoro, Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina and County Assembly Speaker Stephen Ndicho insisted that failure of the region to unite will give a chance to other communities seeking the top seat to take advantage of the area’s huge voting bloc.

Nyoro echoed Kabogo’s sentiments and asked politicians from the region to rally behind President Uhuru Kenyatta as he strives to complete development projects before the end of his final term in office.

“Development is not realised because of politics but rather when people are united. Let us unite and speak in one voice,” said Nyoro.

Although he has not declared interest in the top position, Muturi on his part said his Mt Kenya unity drive has continued to bear fruit and the mountain will soon be united ahead of the 2022 elections.

He said that after finishing his unity drive assignment, the mountain will be in a better position to talk to other communities in what seemed as a hint that the region might field a candidate.

Muturi’s coronation as Mt Kenya region’s spokesperson presents a possibility for him to go for the top seat after Uhuru, but it has also split leaders with some terming the move as ill-advised.

Central Kenya leaders have divided loyalty with some backing Ruto while others have remained ardent supporters of President Kenyatta.

Recently, MPs Gathoni Wamuchomba (Kiambu County) and Gabriel Kago (Githunguri) met Ruto and declared they were leaving the Jubilee Party for the DP’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).