Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has vowed to use his position as Mt Kenya’s political kingpin to unite the region, rejecting attempts to split it into Mt Kenya East and West and ruling out retaliation against leaders who have attacked him.
Speaking during the launch of the Swans–AIPCA feeder road in Chaka town, Nyeri County, on Friday, Professor Kindiki said the council of elders in the region had tasked him with bringing leaders together and assured him of their support in pursuing unity.
He said the council involved in his coronation — elders from Njuri Ncheke, Kiama Kia Ma, the Kikuyu Council of Elders, Gema elders, Nyangi Ndiriri and the Mbeere Council of Elders — had specifically warned against efforts by some politicians to create divisions between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West.
“I have clear orders to unite Mt Kenya region. We might be affiliated to different formations, but the elders requested me to ensure peaceful political contests. Aspirants will sell their agenda and voters will decide who to vote for,” he said.
Adding that: “We have young politicians who have come out and are misadvised. Their work is to divide the region into Mt Kenya East and West,” he said.
Read: Kindiki urges Mountain to rally behind him and Ruto
He said the region had remained united through major moments in the country’s history, including the struggle for independence, and questioned why political differences were now being allowed to divide it.
“We have been a united region since the tenure of Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. Their leadership has never resulted in the kind of divisions now being witnessed. The council of elders have assured me that they will help me handle the politicians preaching political divisions, and that I should not worry,” he said.
He added that the elders would also work with their counterparts from other parts of the country under the Kenya Council of Elders to promote national unity.
While noting that he would not allow anyone to perpetrate violence in the region owing to political choices, he pointed to previous friendly contests between prominent leaders in 1992 and 2002.
“We should not allow violence to take over our politics. We are not a region known for violence despite political differences. We are wealth creators, not destroyers. We should not attack each other. Everyone should sell their agenda, and voters will decide. The winner serves all and the loser waits for their time,” he said.
The DP, who toured several development projects in Nyeri, said the county had been allocated a total of Sh45 billion for the construction of 775 kilometres of roads spread across the six constituencies in the devolved unit.
“We also have some modern markets that are nearing completion. The Ruringu Stadium, which is 40 percent complete, and the last-mile electricity connection, with 32,000 homes already benefiting,” he said.
Read: Kindiki’s 30-trip campaign to reclaim Mt Kenya
During the development tour, leaders who accompanied the DP asked the opposition to focus on presenting their manifestos to voters instead of engaging in personal attacks.
Othaya MP Wambugu Wainaina asked the Deputy President not to respond to political attacks, saying he should instead emulate former presidents in how they handled criticism from opponents.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira backed Professor Kindiki’s new role, urging him to position himself early politically if he intends to seek the presidency in 2032.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi said they would return the favour at the right time, assuring the DP of their support.
“You have stood with us since Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta. We will return this favour this time around to our people of Meru and Tharaka Nithi,” he said.
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