Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged voters in Mt Kenya to trust him in leading the region’s negotiations ahead of the General Election next year.
Prof Kindiki also asked voters to shun politicians engaged in “sloganeering”, saying unity and a clear development agenda would be critical to securing maximum benefits for the region.
As he toured Maragua constituency, where he supervised work on the proposed Sh1 billion Gwathamaki-Mbombo road, Prof Kindiki said Mt Kenya must approach the 2027 elections united.
“Those criticising the President will be defeated. We will prove the naysayers wrong,” he said.
The DP added that he is pursuing a strategy in which Mt Kenya voters would place their trust in him to negotiate for the region, with development and the well-being of its people as the guiding principles.
“The Mountain is one, and the agenda is development. Value is collective, people-centred bargain without losing focus on transformative projects. Trust me to bargain for you. My interest is the well-being of our people and stability of Kenya,” he said.
Prof Kindiki spoke four days after a group of elders from Mt Kenya named him the chief spokesman for the region.
The appointment has exposed divisions among elders, particularly on the western side of the Mountain.
Read: Kindiki’s 30-trip campaign to reclaim Mt Kenya
Kiama Kia Ma patron, Kung’u Muigai, and Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago dismissed the event at Kirigiti stadium in Kiambu County as lacking credibility, impact and legitimacy.
Prof Kindiki urged Mt Kenya voters to reject “emotional, malicious and agendaless politics”, saying the region should focus on governance and development.
He urged the region not to isolate itself politically but to unite with other Kenyans in pursuing better governance.
The DP said the government has set aside Sh56 billion to tarmac about 1,200 kilometres of roads in Murang’a.
He cited improved earnings for farmers, saying coffee prices have risen from Sh50 to Sh130 per kilo of cherry, milk from Sh35 to Sh50 a litre, while avocado farmers “are also earning a lot”.
Prof Kindiki said the government reduced the price of fertiliser from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000 a bag and cut the price of certified maize seed from Sh300 to Sh150 a kilo.
He also cited a reduction in the cost of sexed semen for artificial insemination of dairy cows from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400 a dose.
Prof Kindiki said the government is building two medium-sized stadiums in Murang’a at a combined cost of Sh1.8 billion.
He listed electricity connectivity, markets, affordable housing, student hostels and ICT hubs among projects being implemented in the county, adding that hospitals are also being equipped.
Read: Respect Mt Kenya elders, Kindiki tells political rivals
The DP was accompanied by Maragua MP Mary wa Maua, Nominated MP Sabina Chege and Kangema MP Peter Kihungi.
Ms Maua told Prof Kindiki not to be distracted by those opposed to his appointment as Mt Kenya spokesman.
“Don’t respond to them. Leave that task to us. Those opposed to you are the minority, and they will be silenced,” she said.
The Maragua MP said some politicians have resorted to holding meetings at their homes without an agenda for the region.
“We should not worry about them,” she said.
Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as Prof Kindiki’s greatest opponent in Mt Kenya.
Ms Chege described Mr Gachagua as a noisemaker and questioned what he achieved for the region during his two years as President Ruto’s deputy.
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