Signs of growing political tensions within the Mt Kenya region have continued to emerge, with government-allied leaders rallying behind Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and dismissing claims that his position is under threat.
Speaking in Kirinyaga County, Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene, Mwea MP Mary Maingi and Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari maintained that Kindiki still enjoys the full support of leaders and residents across the region.
Munene criticized National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed over his remarks regarding the Deputy President’s position, arguing that ODM has no basis to demand the post after joining the government through the broad-based arrangement.
“Junet Mohamed did not elect this government. He should not demand the Deputy President’s seat. Let him focus on ODM,” said Munene.
Munene added that Kindiki’s supporters would not be intimidated by the ongoing debate over the Deputy President’s position, insisting they would stand by him through to his expected 2032 presidential bid.
“We who support Kindiki have no fear. We will fight for him even in his 2032 presidential bid. Kindiki will be on the presidential ballot in 2032,” he said.
The lawmakers also criticized DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua over his claims that he would determine the political direction of the Mt Kenya region.
“Who is he? He should not direct his bitterness at us after he was impeached,” Munene said.
Meanwhile, Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari opposed Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku’s remarks suggesting that the Mt Kenya region should be divided, saying such a move would only deepen political divisions.
“If we start dividing Mt Kenya, we will end up like ODM, which has split into four factions. If he wants to join politics, then he should resign as Cabinet Secretary,” said Gitari.
Mwea MP Mary Maingi maintained that Kirinyaga has long been part of Mt Kenya East and insisted that Kindiki remains an influential political figure in the region.
“Even before, Kirinyaga was on the eastern side, that is Mt Kenya East. We used to seek Huduma services in Embu; the only difference now is that I built a Huduma Centre in Mwea,” said Maingi.
