Meru leaders accuse Jubilee govt of sidelining region ahead of planned Uhuru visit

The political direction in Meru County appears to be shifting, ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s expected visit to the county in February.

The relationship between local leaders and the Jubilee administration has been shaky since President Kenyatta ascended to power in 2013.

The leaders, led by Senator Kiraitu Murungi, Governor Peter Munya and a number of MPs through the Meru Leaders Political Forum, have accused the Jubilee leadership of sidelining the region in development. The region voted for the Jubilee coalition it almost to a man in the last general election.

The leaders are unhappy with the government’s allocation for construction of roads in Meru County.

They also allege the neglect of major projects initiated by former President Mwai Kibaki, discrimination of the county in public appointments, among other things.

Mr Murungi’s Alliance Party of Kenya also accused Jubilee of short-changing it in the sharing of Political Parties Fund allocations and even threatened to pull out of the ruling coalition.

Mr Munya’s chairing of the Council of Governor’s team pushing for a referendum for more resources to be taken to the grassroots also worsened the relationship between local leaders and the Jubilee top brass, which is opposed to the polls.

OFFICIAL TOUR

Local leaders have also taken issue with President Kenyatta’s failure to officially tour the region since his election, although he has been to other region, including the visits to perceived opposition strongholds.

However, the Njuri Ncheke council of elders, who are revered and respected in the larger Meru region, moved to pacify political differences between local leaders and Jubilee administration on Wednesday by assuring the Head of State that the residents were fully behind his government.

The elders hit out at a section of politicians from the county for allegedly working against the Jubilee government in which they were elected.

Addressing journalists in Meru Town on Tuesday, Njuri Ncheke chairman Paul M’Ethinkia and secretary-general Phares Rutere added that the elders would work with the government of the day to fulfil its pledges to Kenyans.

“We are aware that of late some leaders have been talking of the government isolating the Meru people. We want to affirm that the Meru people are solidly behind the government of the day. We want to tell our people not to listen to those politicians whose aim is to divide the Meru community,” Mr Rutere said.

The Njuri Ncheke secretary-general said the Meru people were ready to vote out any leader who will work against the government, adding that some leaders had outlived their usefulness.

“Our objective as a council is to unite the Meru people. Some of the leaders have outlived their usefulness and they should accept that they have grown old.

"If a young leader comes up and shows to be more promising, this is the leader we should support,” he remarked.

REMAIN UNITED

Mr Rutere noted that despite the Meru community having two counties, the elders would ensure the two remained united and prevent politicians from causing division through petty politics.

“We need unity so that the government of the day can deliver its promise. We cannot get anything from the government through intimidation and chest-thumping. If we need anything from the government, the best thing to do is for elders to meet the leadership to demand our share,” Mr Rutere stated.

He urged Meru politicians to desist from fighting the government in public and instead engage it in dialogue while warning them against engaging in supremacy battles.

Since Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki was appointed as Majority Leader in the Senate, there has been perceived supremacy battles between Prof Kindiki and Mr Murungi, who is considered the king of Meru politics.

While Prof Kindiki has been a staunch supporter of the government, Mr Murungi has been rallying his political troops in demanding for more resources that are comparable to the votes given to the Jubilee government.

Njuri Ncheke Supreme Council of Elders' chairman Paul M’Ethinkia said the politicians who are fighting the government have nothing to offer to the people of Meru.

“Njuri Ncheke engages the government when there are issues affecting the people and we get help.

"What can we get from individuals who are drawing us away from the government?” Mr M’Ethinkia posed.

RIGHTFUL SHARE
Mr Murungi has been categorical that it would be difficult to continue supporting a government that does not give them their rightful share of resources.

Prof Kindiki, who is arguably the topmost politician from the Mt Kenya East region, is said to have played pivotal role in organising for President Kenyatta's visit.

He is said to be interested in the Deputy President's position in the 2022 elections and is pushing for locals to be awarded title deeds during President Kenyatta's tour.

The region has for long suffered due to lack of title deeds, which has fuelled land disputes.

Prof Kindiki has also been at forefront in ensuring that the region benefits from major infrastructural projects including roads.

In December, Prof Kindiki and Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti hosted President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in Embu County immediately after the International Criminal Court dropped charges against the Head of State.

While Mr Murungi's team has been crying foul over alleged sidelining of the region by the Jubilee administration, Prof Kindiki has sought to assure locals that all was well and that the area will benefit from its part of national cake.

Already, Prof Kindiki said the region has benefited from key government appointments including that of Kilemi Mwiria as presidential adviser and Prof Lydia Nzomo as Teachers Service Commission boss.

Prof Kindiki, who is seen as blue eyed boy of the Jubilee government, has been advocating for the unity of Mt Kenya East region for better bargaining power in national politics.

Unlike Mr Murungi whose tenure in various ministries in previous governments mainly endeared him to Meru region, Prof Kindiki has used his Majority Leader position to tour and market himself countrywide ahead of President Kenyatta's succession in 2022.