Boost for Kindiki as Mt Kenya East elders endorse him be region's link to Executive

Over 500 elders from the counties of Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi have also thrown their weight behind Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to be the Mt Kenya East regions point man to President William Ruto and his administration.

The elders who met at the Izaak Walton hotel in Embu on Saturday said they believe Kindiki's standing can help create good relations with other regions in the country.

"To ensure we remain focused on development, we endorse the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, to be the link between our region, the President and his Government.

"We believe his national stature will help foster good relations with other regions," the elders said in a statement read by Cyrus Ngeranwa Elder from Embu.

The Mt Kenya East elders cited rising political tensions in the region, which they said have distracted them from important development issues.

They said this is despite efforts by President Ruto develop the region.

"While we recognize the President’s efforts to bring growth and prosperity, we are concerned about the rising political tensions. These tensions distract us from the more important issues, such as completing development projects, improving the economic well-being of our farmers, and creating opportunities for our youth."

The elders called on the political class to focus on uniting the region and the country at large.

"We ask all political leaders to focus on unity and development instead of divisive rhetoric. We urge all our leaders to work towards the unity and harmony of all Kenyans, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political backgrounds," the elders said.

Their remarks comes barely three days after 48 MPs from the Mt Kenya region also backed Kindiki to take the lead in promoting the region's interests and be their link to the Executive.

Their endorsement followed that of at least 21 Mt Kenya Eats legislators who were first to make the declaration.

The declaration marks a notable shift in the Kikuyu community's political stance, distancing themselves from Gachagua amid his ongoing fallout with President Ruto.

The coalition of MPs expressed frustration over their inability to consolidate development needs of their constituents, citing lack of a focal point to channel their priorities to the government.

“Instead, the Mt Kenya region has suffered from high-octane politics centred on personal ambition rather than the collective interests of our people,” they lamented.

The MPs also claimed their attempts to prioritise regional development had been met with “condescending threats of dire political consequences” if they did not support Gachagua's interests.