The Mt Kenya Foundation’s efforts to reach out to various political bases ahead of the 2022 elections intensifies today when it hosts political leaders from the north eastern region.

While the organisers of the event to be held at the Safari Park Hotel have described it as a meeting “to discuss economy and other issues of common interest” with residents of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL)counties, the 2022 politics are expected to take centre stage.

“The luncheon will be a consultative forum where communities from Mt Kenya North (northern frontier counties) and their hosts from Mt Kenya (Central Kenya) will seek to further solidify and entrench their deep connections and cooperation developed over the years,” reads a statement by the Foundation.

The meeting was attended by among other leaders Jubilee Party Joint Secretary and Eldas MP Aden Keynan, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and Garissa Woman Rep Fatuma Gedi.

“I don’t think we have ever had such a meeting. It will be historic as the 11 ASAL counties converge with our brothers from Mt Kenya to discuss development and other important issues affecting us,” Keynan said, who is also the Upya deputy leader. 

When Upya was launched last month, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani, Governors Ali Korane (Garissa), Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo) and Ali Muktar (Wajir) announced they would support Raila’s bid for the presidency.

Former county bosses Godana Doyo (Isiolo), Nathif Jama (Garissa) and Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), veteran politician Hussein Maalim Mohamed and former Rift Valley provincial commissioner Hassan Noor were also present during the launch of the movement.