Stop Divisive Politics: MP Wamaua Urges Mt Kenya Legislators to Focus on Development

Maragua MP Mary Wamaua has issued a stern call to her fellow lawmakers from the Mt Kenya region to desist from divisive politics and premature campaigns for the 2027 elections. Speaking on behalf of Maragua leaders and residents, Wamaua expressed concern over the ongoing political infighting and urged her colleagues to prioritize the needs of their constituents instead of engaging in power struggles.

Wamaua’s remarks came in response to a recent declaration by over 48 MPs from the region, led by National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who backed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the Mt Kenya region’s representative to the Executive. This endorsement aligns with a similar declaration by Mt Kenya East leaders, who have also thrown their support behind Kindiki.

The Maragua MP criticized these political moves, arguing that they distract from addressing pressing issues affecting the Mt Kenya region and the country at large. Wamaua specifically called out the MPs for their perceived attack on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the highest-ranking official from Mt Kenya in the Kenya Kwanza administration, who she insists remains the primary link to the executive for the region’s development needs.

Wamaua emphasized that instead of targeting Gachagua, lawmakers should unite to tackle critical matters impacting their constituents, such as the economic challenges faced by small traders, accountability for victims of recent tragedies, and national issues like the alleged takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by the Indian conglomerate Adani Group.

“The focus should be on ensuring that the promises made by the Kenya Kwanza government are fulfilled,” Wamaua said. “What matters most to our voters is whether they are reaping the benefits in sectors like coffee, milk, and tea.”

She also pointed out that the MPs seem to have lost touch with their constituents, citing the recent evictions of small traders from Wakulima market in Nairobi and the plight of victims in Mathare, Pipeline, and Mai Mahiu as issues that should have been prioritized over political grandstanding. Wamaua urged the MPs to use their collective voice to press for accountability, such as in the case of missing children from the Endarasha fire incident, rather than rallying against their own.

Wamaua’s sentiments were echoed by local residents, who voiced their support for Deputy President Gachagua and called on President William Ruto to intervene in the escalating political tension. Andrew Thuo, a resident, defended the Deputy President, noting that Gachagua has not been declared unfit to hold his office and continues to fulfill his mandate, including spearheading reforms in the tea and coffee sectors.

“The Deputy President is still capable and has not shown any inability to discharge his duties,” Thuo stated. “It’s time for the President to step in and resolve the conflict among the leaders.”

Fazul Mustafa, another resident, argued that the MPs’ declaration lacked the backing of their constituents and represented personal opinions rather than the regional stance. He suggested that the MPs’ actions were an attempt to destabilize Gachagua’s position in government.

“Their declaration was merely an attempt to stir the political landscape and unsettle the Deputy President,” Mustafa said. “However, this has only made Gachagua more resilient and popular among Kenyans.”

As political divisions threaten to overshadow developmental goals, Wamaua’s call for unity and focus on the region’s pressing issues serves as a reminder of the responsibilities elected leaders have towards their constituents. With the next general elections still three years away, the MP and residents alike hope that political leaders will heed this call to action and put the people’s interests first.