Tharaka elders accuse Meru faction of disrespecting Kindiki

Njuri Ncheke elders from Tharaka-Nithi County during a meeting at Kathwana on January 12, 2017. The elders said they will not allow any leader from their county to be disrespected.  PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The elders made the declaration Thursday at Kathwana market, led by their chairman, Kangori Thaara.
  • They accused a faction led by Linus Kathera and Josphat Murangiri of side-lining and disrespecting leaders from Tharaka-Nithi County.
  • Mr Kangori supports a faction that is led by Secretary-General Phares Rutere and chairman, Mzee Paul M’Ithinkia
  • The elders warned the group led by Linus Kathera and Josphat Murangiri against visiting Tharaka-Nithi.

The Ameru Njuri Ncheke elders from Tharaka-Nithi County have vowed to defend ‘their sons’, Senator Kithure Kindiki and Chuka University Vice Chancellor Erastus Njoka from critics.

The elders made the declaration Thursday at Kathwana market, led by their chairman, Kangori Thaara.

They accused a faction led by Linus Kathera and Josphat Murangiri of side-lining and disrespecting leaders from Tharaka-Nithi County.

Mr Kangori, who supports a faction that is led by Secretary-General Phares Rutere and chairman, Mzee Paul M’Ithinkia, said problems started after Prof Kindiki was installed an elder and the Ameru community spokesman in January 2015.

“We will no longer remain silent while our sons are being side-lined and disrespected by colleagues from Meru County,” said Mr Kangori.

He said Prof Kindiki, who is the Senate Majority Leader, is at the same level with Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, Governor Peter Munya or any other elder and should be accorded due respect.

PROF NJOKA APPOINTED PATRON

He added that recently, at Nchiru shrine, Mr Murangiri said Prof Njoka was immature in the council's affairs and should concentrate on university leadership failure to which they would punish him after he was appointed as the elders’ patron, replacing Francis Muthaura, who is accused of favouring one group.

He said it is clear that their colleagues from Meru County are plotting to ensure that Tharaka sons and daughters do not shine nationally.

The elders warned the group led by Mr Kathera against visiting Tharaka-Nithi, threatening to punish through traditional rituals if they dare do so.

“We don’t want them in our county because they have always caused trouble everywhere they go,” said Mr Mutugi Mbui, an elder.

The elders also criticised political chaos recently witnessed in Meru County, noting that it was a sign of disunity among the Ameru leaders.

They urged leaders from Tharaka-Nithi to refrain from such behaviour, noting that they already have names of those encouraging chaos in political meetings and would punish them after the August 8 general elections.

“We have names of leaders who have gone against the norms of Njuri Ncheke and [they] will have to pay a penalty of a cow after elections for causing divisions and encouraging conflicts,” said Mr Mbui.