Fight for Mt Kenya set to intensify

What you need to know:

  • Prof Kindiki and Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, on the other hand, are pushing for the unity of the Mt Kenya East counties of Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru and Isiolo to achieve more political bargaining powers.
  • He is a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Ruto and is keen to consolidate support in the Mt Kenya East counties, which he has toured with the leaders several times.

The battle for political control of Mt Kenya East is set to intensify after Saturday’s installation of Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki as a Njuri Ncheke elder.
Event organisers said major political statements on the region’s politics will be made at the meeting in Chiakariga in Tharaka Nithi County,
Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders secretary-general Phares Ruteere confirmed the planned elevation of Prof Kindiki but would not give more details. “The function will take place but I don’t want to confirm when and where” he said.
Prof Kindiki has been engaged in a fierce battle for control of the region with supporters of doyen of Meru politics Kiraitu Murungi and Governor Peter Munya.
Mr Murungi and Mr Munya’s side have established the Meru Political Forum to agitate for more resources for the development of the region and chart its political direction.
Prof Kindiki and Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, on the other hand, are pushing for the unity of the Mt Kenya East counties of Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru and Isiolo to achieve more political bargaining powers.

ECLIPSED MURUNGI
Although a political debutante, Prof Kindiki’s star has been rising since he eclipsed Mr Murungi in the race for the Senate majority leader post.

The Tharaka-Nithi senator is an ardent Jubilee campaigner in the region who has led nearly all MPs in the region in announcing support for the Jubilee Alliance Party. He has shown interest in being Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential running mate in 2022.

He is a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Ruto and is keen to consolidate support in the Mt Kenya East counties, which he has toured with the leaders several times.

Prof Kindiki has, however, been finding it difficult to penetrate the Meru Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) stronghold but analysts say his installation as an elder would help his cause.
Mr Murungi and Mr Munya are fighting to maintain the party’s support in the region, especially in Meru County.

However, while Mr Murungi last Sunday said APK would support the new party to safeguard Meru residents’ interests, Mr Munya has opposed it.

Mr Munya said the party was formed to help certain people ascend to power. He said Kenyans should be left to chart their own course when President Kenyatta leaves office.

Mr Munya warned that if APK was merged with JAP, members would form another party.
He claimed JAP would take Kenya back to the single-party days.