Mt Kenya politics just keeps heating up! The latest drama involves a call for unity from the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Nyahururu Diocese and a group of Kikuyu Elders. The church, through Nyahururu ACK Bishop Rev. Samson Mburu Gachathi, is urging leaders to come together for the good of the region. This plea comes just three days after a major political shift in the region—48 Members of Parliament from Mt. Kenya dumped Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and instead rallied behind Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as their spokesperson.
Yep, you heard that right! There’s a new sheriff in town, and the MPs seem to think Kindiki is the one to steer the ship.
The “Nyahururu Declaration”
So, what’s the deal? The Kikuyu Elders, led by Michael Mugo, the National Vice Chairman of Kiama Kia Ma (a powerful cultural group), have expressed concerns that the political scene is dividing Mt. Kenya into two factions: the East and the West. And let’s be honest, a region as influential as Mt. Kenya doesn’t need a family feud, right?
Mugo and the elders are urging elected leaders to avoid early campaign politics that would only serve to divide the region further. Their key point? Any major decisions affecting the Mt. Kenya region should go through public participation. Basically, they want the people’s voices heard loud and clear before any political chess moves are made. 🎤
A Coup Against the DP?
Now, here’s where things get juicy. It’s no secret that Deputy President Gachagua has been positioning himself as the kingpin of the Mt. Kenya region. But this recent move by the 48 MPs seems like a coup, with them saying the lack of a centralized leader has been a major setback in pushing the region’s agenda forward.
Cue Kithure Kindiki. He’s now being touted as the region’s official spokesperson, especially by leaders from Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi Counties (aka Mt. Kenya East). And they’re backing him hard. But let’s be real, the DP isn’t going down without a fight. After all, consolidating the region is crucial for him politically. 🥊
What Does This Mean for Mt. Kenya?
With Kindiki stepping into the spotlight, the political dynamics in Mt. Kenya are shifting. For the longest time, the region has been united, usually rallying behind one central figure—think Mwai Kibaki, and more recently, Uhuru Kenyatta. But now, with the DP being challenged, we might be witnessing the birth of two political factions in the region: Mt. Kenya East and Mt. Kenya West.
The big question is, can the region remain politically relevant if it’s divided? With 2027 elections already on the horizon, early campaign talk has already started. However, the church and elders are cautioning leaders to slow down. They believe Mt. Kenya will lose its influence if leaders are more focused on personal ambitions rather than the collective good. It’s all about unity, or as they might say in the region, “Twige hamwe” (let’s stick together).
The Elders’ Stand: “Let the People Speak” 🗣️
Kikuyu elders, and their counterparts from the East, are calling for calm and public participation. They don’t want Mt. Kenya’s fate to be decided in boardrooms and closed-door meetings. They want the residents to have their say in choosing their spokesperson and charting the political course for the region. And honestly, that’s not too much to ask for, right?
As 2027 inches closer and the political arena heats up, it’s clear that the Mt. Kenya leadership is going through a major transformation. The big question now is whether leaders will heed the call for unity from both the church and elders, or if we’ll see the region split along the East-West divide.
One thing’s for sure: Mt. Kenya’s political landscape just got a whole lot more interesting.
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