Mt Kenya MPs Rally Behind Kindiki as Power Struggle Heats Up

48 Members of Parliament from the Mt Kenya region and the diaspora have rallied behind Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, underscoring a deepening power struggle within the region. This show of support for Kindiki, who has emerged as a key player in Mt Kenya’s political landscape, highlights the intensifying battle between him and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 elections.

The MPs’ endorsement of Kindiki came during a meeting in Nyahururu on Thursday, a strategic gathering that emphasized the need for a cohesive link between regional leaders and the national government to address developmental concerns. This decision follows a similar endorsement by Mt Kenya East leaders, further solidifying Kindiki’s position as a prominent political figure in the region.

Mwangi Kiunjuri, a key figure in the rallying of support, articulated the MPs’ unanimous resolution to position Kindiki as their primary liaison with the national government. “We, as the elected leaders from this region and its diaspora, have unanimously resolved that our link to the National Government be the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration, Prof. Kithure Kindiki,” Kiunjuri stated. “This is crucial for ensuring that our developmental needs are effectively communicated and addressed.”

The MPs’ backing of Kindiki reflects a broader strategy to overcome past frustrations caused by a lack of clear political direction and coordination. The region’s leaders have often faced challenges in consolidating development efforts due to fragmented political interests and personal ambitions overshadowing collective goals. The new alliance aims to establish a more focused and effective approach to addressing the needs of Mt Kenya’s residents.

The gathering also underscored the necessity for regular meetings and a coordinating committee to maintain a robust connection with the executive branch of government. This committee will oversee the advancement of legislative and developmental agendas critical to the region’s interests. The MPs expressed their commitment to addressing the region’s needs in a manner that transcends individual political ambitions.

“We have seen our attempts to prioritize developmental needs hindered by political maneuvering and personal ambitions. Our goal now is to channel the interests of our constituents more effectively to the government,” the MPs declared. They stressed the urgency of their mission, given the approaching end of the first term of the current administration, and reaffirmed their dedication to regional unity and national progress.

In their joint statement, the MPs also highlighted the need for a unified approach to regional and national challenges. “The unity of Mt Kenya must be pursued in the context of the unity of Kenya as a whole. We are one indivisible people of Kenya and must always put our country first—Kenya Kwanza,” they asserted.

Among the notable leaders present at the Nyahururu meeting were Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), John Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Betty Maina (Murang’a), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Karen Nyamu (Nominated Senator), and Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town). Their collective endorsement of Kindiki underscores a significant shift in the political dynamics of the Mt Kenya region.

The mounting support for Kindiki signals a strategic realignment as regional leaders seek to consolidate their influence and ensure that their developmental priorities are addressed effectively. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the battle for Mt Kenya’s political leadership is set to become even more pronounced, with Kindiki emerging as a formidable contender in the ongoing power struggle.