Kithure Kindiki joins Mountain political matrix

As Mt Kenya region erupts into political activity which has created fissures and divisions, the eastern side which has for decades remained on the leeward side of politics has been jolted into action.

It is emerging that several MPs are endorsing Kithure Kindiki, the Interior and National Government Administration Cabinet Secretary as their ‘kingpin’.

The proposal of Kindiki as the link between the Mt Kenya region and President William Ruto faces resistance from another faction rooting for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

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The debate was started by Mt Kenya East MPs when they announced that they had settled on Kindiki to be their link to State House and were soon followed by a section from Mt Kenya West led by National Assembly Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wah.

MPs and MCAs from the region have in the past week been affirming their support for Kindiki as their choice to represent the region’s interests in the national government and not Gachagua.

 Ichung’wah has rallied Meru MPs, and others from different parts of the Mt Kenya region to express their choice and faith in Kindiki to be their voice at the national level, a development that irked the DP and those by his side.

Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi yesterday expressed his satisfaction that leaders from the region have identified Kindiki.

“I was the first MP to endorse Kindiki as our leader last year and I am very happy the rest of the leaders from Mt Kenya have done so,” Aburi said.

Yesterday women leaders from Meru led by MCA Frida Naitore converged at the Kinoru stadium to praise the action taken by leaders from Mt Kenya to endorse the former Tharaka Nithi Senator as the region’s voice at the national stage.

Kindiki’s Mt Kenya east turf of Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu has 22 MPs who are rooting for Kindiki while 48 are from Mt Kenya West.

It is worth noting that leaders like Gideon Kimathi, a former Meru County Chief of Staff and Meru County Assembly Deputy Speaker have been quick to point out that there is no split between Mt Kenya west and east.

“Prof Kindiki has met our expectations, and we chose him to represent this region because he is in a very good working relationship with President Ruto. He has been steadfast in working for the development of the region and the entire country and has done very well in his docket. We want all leaders from the west and east to rally behind Kindiki,” Kimathi said

On Wednesday more than 2, 000 elders of Njuri Ncheke Council of Ameru Elders led by their chairman, Andrian Aruyaru, and Kimathi converged at their shrine at Nchiru and endorsed Kindiki.

Elders from Embu’s Ngome Council of Elders followed suit, with 500 of them coming out to state their support for him.

Among key people to root for Kindiki is Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, who had been a key supporter of the Deputy President.

However, about 50 MCAs and a minority of MPs have stuck with Gachagua and the choice of the majority, should it carry the day, will see Kindiki have an added task of representing the development needs of the region in all its aspects, including politics.

Kindiki has gained support and praise from various quarters, including from President Ruto for his achievements in curbing cattle rusting and other insecurity issues in various parts of the country, including North Rift and Meru.

Among key people to root for Kindiki is Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, who had in recent days been a key supporter of the DP.

 Mt Kenya region needs a person with support beyond the region who can work with leaders from other regions, he said in a vernacular station.

He said Kindiki had the qualities needed to connect the region with leaders from other parts.

Political analyst Oscar Mutugi opined the show of support for Kindiki, and Gachagua’s isolation is a repeat of the 2022 politics where the former was set to be Ruto’s running mate before the former Mathira MP got the nod.

“What is emerging is a rematch of the pre-2022 tussle between Kindiki and Gachagua, where both sought to deputize Ruto for the presidency. Ruto is believed to have personally favoured a Kindiki candidature, but the dynamics of Gachagua’s assertive personality and the risk of irking the more populous Mt Kenya West were he to pick Kindiki over Gachagua forced Ruto’s hand,” Mr Mutugi said.