Njuri Ncheke clears Kithure Kindiki to be William Ruto’s running mate

Senate Majority leader Kithure Kindiki being made a Njuri Ncheke elder on January 31, 2015. The council of elders endorsed him to be Deputy President William Ruto's running mate in 2022. PHOTO | KENNEDY KIMANTHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • MPs Muthomi Njuki, Mburi Mwiru and Kareke Mbiuki said it was time for central Kenya region to return a favour by supporting on of their own in the 2022 general elections after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s two terms.
  • Although politicians from Meru county were absent, the council’s chairman Paul M’Ethinkia and secretary-general Phares Ruteere asked them to unite and work for the common good for the Ameru people.
  • The significance of getting the influential council's blessings was amplified by presence of senior national government officers from the two counties.

Senate Majority leader Prof Kithure Kindiki was on Saturday officially endorsed to run for the Deputy President’s seat in 2022 at a ceremony conducted by Njuri Ncheke elders.

The Tharaka Nithi senator was also mandated to be the Ameru community’s spokesperson after being inducted into the council of elders.

Some of the MPs present during the ceremony backed Kindiki for the position while they urged their counterparts from central Kenya to support him.

MPs Muthomi Njuki, Mburi Mwiru and Kareke Mbiuki said it was time for central Kenya region to return a favour by supporting on of their own in the 2022 general elections after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s two terms.

"For a long time we have supported our Central Kenya kinsmen for the top seat. We are asking them that when Ruto takes over the mantle from Uhuru in 2022, they should back Prof Kindiki to be his deputy," Mbiuki said.

The MP exuded confidence that the Senate Majority Leader was qualified for the DP's seat come 2022.

"Prof Kindiki's star is rising and the sky is not even the limit. As the Meru spokesman, you now have the responsibility of uniting the people of Meru and the country at large,"Mbiuki said.

Mr Njuki said MPs from the region were fully behind the senator and would help him galvanise support across the country as the 2017 and 2022 politics start to shape up.

"We are rubberstamping your elevation as the Meru spokesman and now you have all the rights to speak on behalf of the Ameru people in both Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties," he said.

POLITICAL AMBITIONS

Mr Mwiru reiterated the need to have their Central Kenya counterparts support Prof Kindiki's political ambitions as a show of unity in the Mt Kenya region.
“I humbly accept this elevation and will speak for the two counties according to the guidelines offered by the council. We will ensure that that which belongs to the Ameru never gets lost,” he said.

He added that he was ready and willing to engage and work with all the elected leaders from the region for the good of the community.

Although politicians from Meru county were absent, the council’s chairman Paul M’Ethinkia and secretary-general Phares Ruteere asked them to unite and work for the common good for the Ameru people.

In a function that attracted members of all Ameru sub tribes at Ciakariga in Tharaka South, Njuri Ncheke council of elders and leaders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties said Prof Kindiki should carry the Meru region’s flag in all spheres.

Prof Kindiki is expected to represent interests of the larger region after being praised as being humble and in the process is being prepared to take over the country's leadership.

Njuri Ncheke council of elders Secretary General Phares Ruteere said the event will get into history books as being one of the biggest initiation ceremony conducted by the elders.

The event was held at the elders' shrine at Ciakariga and about 74 people were initiated into the Njuri council.

AFTER TWO HOURS

Prof Kindiki emerged from the shrine after over two hours of going through the rites.

According to Meru culture adults who are not initiated into Njuri are not required to witness the oath taking exercise at the shrine.

Journalists were barred from taking photographs during the actual ceremony said to involve some kind of oath taking.

The Njuri elders then asked Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi and former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura to crown Prof Kindiki with traditional Regalia before sitting on a ruriga 'the stool of power'.

"You have now become the Meru community spokesman. You have the blessings of the Ameru, from Thuci to Ntonyiri. You will speak for the community on matters political, economic and social,'' said Mr Ruteere.

Among those that were initiated together with the Senate Majority leader is Land Development and Governance Institute director Mwenda Makathimo.

Prof. Kindiki was accompanied by MPs Muthomi Njuki, Kareke Mbiuki, and Mburi Muiru.

The significance of getting the influential council's blessings was amplified by presence of senior national government officers from the two counties.

Senator Kindiki pledged to work with Senator Kiraitu Murungi and Governors Peter Munya and Samuel Ragwa to develop the region.

''I will serve all Ameru and respect wisdom of elders. Unity of Meru is important. Nothing that belongs to Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties will get lost,” he promised.