Allies of President William Ruto have condemned Friday’s Limuru III meeting that brought together some leaders from the Mt Kenya region during a meeting in Western Kenya on Saturday.
Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, the politicians said such regional meetings threaten the unity and stability of the country.
“Politics of regional and ethnic balkanisation have been passed by time. As leaders of this country, we want politics of ideology. Politics that will unite Kenyans as one united people in pursuit of prosperity,” Ichung’wah said.
The Limuru III meeting brought together professionals and businessmen from Mt. Kenya as well as religious organisations to chart Mt Kenya’s path.
During the meeting, leaders resolved to retain former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the region’s kingpin to chart a way forward ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Leaders called on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Uhuru to convene a meeting and agree on the region’s direction of the elections.
On Saturday, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri said as leaders from Mt Kenya, they don't want to engage in politics that will separate them from the rest of Kenyans.
“You so the meeting. Mt Kenya has over 100 parliamentarians, how many did you see in Limuru? It goes to tell you that we did not want to be part of that meeting,” he said.
Kiunjuri further said leaders must learn to forgive those who wrong them.
“We should not have grudges forever. If somebody offended you somewhere, you must not reciprocate through grudges. Forgive others. You should know this country can move on without you because it cannot be you and you alone,” he said.
Leader of Majority in the Senate Aaron Cheruiyot wondered how a leader would call a meeting of one community alone.
“How can a leader call a meeting of one community alone? We should not allow that to happen in our country,” he said.
Cheruiyot said leaders who convened the Limuru meeting had run out of ideas and chose to spread hatred.
“I believe in Project Kenya, one undivided nation moving towards prosperity,” he said.
Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula said President William Ruto should be respected as the leader of the country.
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali said the country would be destroyed if other regions also held such meetings.