Kindiki meets MPs amid by-election, unity push

A meeting between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and over 60 MPs and Senators from Mt Kenya has revealed Kenya Kwanza administration’s new strategy to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Against the backdrop of the resurgence of the once-dominant Jubilee Party, led by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and the persistent rise of the Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, DP Kindiki on Tuesday met the legislators to discuss strategy.

The meeting, which focused on the political unification of Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, also addressed the looming by-elections slated for November 27.

Sources indicated that the Mbeere North contest, featuring a showdown between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and the DCP, was a key point of discussion.

The Standard has also established that the MPs presented their demands to DP Kindiki, which largely focused on development projects, including roads, water and electricity. A follow-up meeting is expected next week to finalize the deliberations.

“Today, I met members of the National Assembly and Senators from the Mt Kenya region to receive feedback on the status of government programmes and projects in their areas of representation,” DP Kindiki stated on his ‘X’ account (formerly Twitter).

The Standard has further established that this was the first of several planned meetings between him and the MPs.

A proposal has been put forward for monthly engagements to plan political activities, review the implementation of priority development projects and coordinate grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 elections.

Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi revealed that DP Kindiki emphasised the need for unity in the Mt Kenya region and for presenting a united political front, even as he works to bring the area back into President Ruto’s fold.

“When we met, the Deputy President stressed the importance of dialogue between leaders from our Mt Kenya region. He discouraged sibling rivalry. The Deputy Presidency seat does not belong to the people of Meru alone but to Mt Kenya as a whole. Over the years, various leaders, including Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, have held positions of power. It is now Kindiki’s turn and I do not see any problem,” Aburi stated.

The Mbeere North race has shaped up into a two-horse contest between Leo Muriuki of UDA and Newton Kariuki of the Justin Muturi-led Democratic Party, who has the backing of the united front comprising the DCP, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party and Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-Kenya. A win for either side in the forthcoming by-election is expected to deliver a major boost ahead of the 2027 elections.

“As for the Mbeere North contest, we were advised to exercise restraint and avoid flamboyance while campaigning for our candidate. However, it was agreed that we must maximize our efforts to ensure our candidate wins, as there are elements even within our side of the political divide rooting for the opposition,” he said.

A second-term MP from Mt Kenya West added: “We insisted on the need to complete key road projects and the Deputy President assured us that contractors would be on site as soon as possible. It was also agreed that even as Kindiki undertakes development tours across the country, he should not overlook this region. He (Kindiki) agreed to tour at least three counties before returning to Mt Kenya.”

The developments come amid a heightened scramble for influence in the region, intensified by Uhuru’s re-entry into active politics.

His return has complicated the 2027 election landscape for both President Ruto and his staunchest critic yet, Gachagua.

Last week, Uhuru visited Murang’a to introduce former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, where he reiterated his 2022 warning against voting for President Ruto, expressing regret that his caution was ignored.

In his remarks, Uhuru urged Mt Kenya residents to rally behind Matiang’i, describing him as visionary and hardworking, capable of completing projects left unfinished by his administration.

“In 2022, I warned you about these people, but you didn’t listen. I hope now you are ready to support leaders genuinely committed to transforming this country,” he said.

In response, allies of President Ruto threatened to deny Uhuru his retirement perks if he continued engaging in active politics.