Governor Mutahi Kahiga skips key Mt Kenya leaders' meet at State House

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga was conspicuously missing as President William Ruto hosted leaders from the Mt Kenya region at State House on Monday.

The consultative meeting attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, seven governors including Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries from the region focused on development projects in the region.

It comes in the wake of the highly-anticipated president’s planned development tour of the region early next month.

Kahiga who has been gravitating towards former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s camp has not commented on why he skipped the crucial meeting despite criticism by some leaders from his county.

Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi has questioned his decision to snub the meeting as he stressed its significance.

“As a resident of Nyeri, I have every right to ask you why you missed a meeting called by the head of state to discuss Nyeri development…,” said Wamumbi.

While the meeting was underway, the governor was in his county for a series of activities.

“Accompanied by my Deputy David Kinaniri, I officially signed the declaration designating Nyeri County as the official scout city of the world,” he shared on his official pages.

“Thereafter, we proceeded to Baden Powell Memorial Gardens…,” he added.

Sources at State House said the leaders met to take stock of the projects currently being implemented in the region and to agree on those to be launched.

“We discussed the key programmes and projects we are implementing to spur the region's socio-economic transformation,” Ruto said in a brief.

Those in attendance were Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Isaac Mutuma (Meru), Joshua Irungu (Laikipia), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi) and Irungu Kangata (Muranga) and Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua).

The meeting followed a similar one on March 20 bringing together elected leaders from the region.

During his tour, The Head of State is expected to address issues affecting tea, coffee, miraa and milk.

He will also launch several development projects which include affordable housing and fresh produce markets, among others.

Badilisha said they agreed on a framework for meeting the people’s expectations and actualising the promised interventions.

Waiguru voiced similar sentiment saying they discussed aligning county and national priorities to accelerate development, enhance service delivery and drive economic growth “in our region.”

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika who was also expected to attend the meeting is said to be out of the country.