- Njenga claimed the prospects of Mt Kenya producing a presidential candidate in 2027 has seen leaders from other regions sponsor fighting in the mountain.
- He said outside forces are keen to destabilise the region so that it does not go to elections as one in 2027.
Politician Maina Njenga has hinted that the vote-rich Mt Kenya region will have a presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.
In an exclusive interview with the Star, Njenga cast doubts that the region will not have one of its own going for the top seat on the land.
“We will have a presidential candidate during the next election. We are praying very hard that we have our own on the ballot in 2027,” he stated.
The announcement by Njenga signals the emergence of a parallel force that will challenge President Ruto at the ballot in 2027.
Mt Kenya has produced three of the four presidents since the country's independence (Founding Father, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the late President Mwai Kibaki and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta).
Home to a part of the Kikuyu community (approximately 18 per cent of the Kenyan population), the region did not produce any presidential candidates, for the first time, in the 2022 General Elections.
Even as Njenga assured of Mt Kenya's candidacy, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been vowing that his mission would be to win the unwavering support of the influential region, a bloc that was instrumental in Ruto's ascension to power.
Gachagua has been taking credit for delivering a substantial 87 per cent of the Mt Kenya votes to Ruto.
“I am looking for the 13 per cent which I lost to give William Ruto 100 per cent of votes in the 2027 General Elections,” Gachagua stated at a church event in Kapsabet in October.
He emphasised that Ruto's path to victory, like his 2022 triumph, is dependent on a united front from Mt Kenya.
In the interview, Njenga claimed the prospects of Mt Kenya producing a presidential candidate in 2027 has seen leaders from other regions sponsor fighting in the mountain.
He said outside forces are keen to destabilise the region so that it does not go to elections as one in 2027.
“The impeachments and squabbles are being sponsored so that the region does not have a footing towards elections,” he claimed.
He said the divisions in the region have forced him to come out to urge leaders to remain united.
“Governors are being impeached in the region. Why only in Mt Kenya? Why are they causing war in the region?” he posed.
He said Gachagua has come out to say he is not interested in being the kingpin of the region because of the “heat” in Mt Kenya.
“Gachagua has given up because of the heat. He said he would build roads, end Mungiki and alcoholism and fight cartels but he has not done it," he said.
Gachagua on Sunday rebuked proponents of the kingship battle narrative, insisting that he is less interested in such a position.
"I do not have time for that kingship nonsense, I don't have that time because I am very busy," Gachagua said on Sunday during a church service in Kiambu.
"This kingpin position, where is the office located, how much is the salary? If there are people who want that office, I'm not part of it because I am the deputy president. My office is located in Harambee House and Karen. There is a salary and a job to do."
Mt Kenya leaders are said to be eyeing the kingship mantle from Uhuru.