Elders blame Kiraitu group for isolating community
What you need to know:
- At a press conference last week, the elders led by Chairman Paul M’Ethinkia and Secretary-General Phares Rutere distanced themselves from the public bashing of the government.
- The elders’ warning cannot be underestimated as they have been part of the Meru tradition since independence. They have also long supported Mr Murungi’s leadership.
- The Njuri Ncheke, however, insists that its main objective is to unite the Ameru in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi Counties. It accuses politicians of engaging in meaningless supremacy wars.
The new-found unity of Meru politicians has suffered a setback after elders accused elected leaders of being disloyal to the government.
The leaders came together recently to pressure the government to allocate more resources to the region.
The Njuri Ncheke Council of elders has waded into the matter at a time the Meru Political Leaders Forum, led by Senator Kiraitu Murungi, Governor Peter Munya and Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi have warned the government of a possible revolt if the region did not get more resources.
At a press conference last week, the elders led by Chairman Paul M’Ethinkia and Secretary-General Phares Rutere distanced themselves from the public bashing of the government.
“Of late, some leaders have been uttering statements meant to isolate the Ameru. We want to affirm that we are solidly behind the government. Our people should not listen to these politicians,” Mr Rutere said.
The elders asked the politicians to embrace dialogue with the government.
CANNOT BE UNDERMINED
The elders’ warning cannot be underestimated as they have been part of the Meru tradition since independence. They have also long supported Mr Murungi’s leadership.
The split can be traced to utterances by Mr Linturi in a live TV interview recently where he said elders should not engage in politics but concentrate on resolving conflicts.
“We respect Njuri Ncheke elders. They should arbitrate on issues of boundaries. Going into politicians’ offices and claiming that Meru leaders are fighting and that they can reconcile us is not their business,” Mr Linturi said.
The remarks did not go down well, with Mr Rutere saying the elders had the right to address any matter affecting the community.
As if to back Mr Linturi, Mr Murungi on the same day accused some leaders of standing in the way of seeking a bigger share of resources by hanging around State House.
MEANINGLESS SUPREMACY WARS
The Njuri Ncheke, however, insists that its main objective is to unite the Ameru in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi Counties. It accuses politicians of engaging in meaningless supremacy wars.
Many people believe Mr Murungi and Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki are competing to be the community’s leader.
Mr Murungi’s group is agitating for the Ameru to chart their destiny after backing the Kikuyu political and economic agenda for decades.
While Mr Murungi’s group has been trying to bring locals together through the Alliance Party of Kenya, Prof Kindiki’s allies have formed the Mt Kenya East caucus that brings together Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru and Isiolo Counties as a bargaining chip in the next general elections.
Pundits say Prof Kindiki could be angling to be DP William Ruto’s running mate in 2022 when the latter takes a shot at the presidency.
