Kikuyu elders in Kirinyaga have rejected calls by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku for Mount Kenya East to pursue a separate political path from Mount Kenya West, warning that the debate risks creating unnecessary divisions in the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The elders, drawn from the Kiama Kia Ma Kikuyu Council of Elders, said Kirinyaga residents were more interested in development, government programmes and economic opportunities than being drawn into political contests over whether the county belongs to Mount Kenya East or West.
The elders have accused political leaders of attempting to introduce divisions in a region they said has historically drawn its strength from unity and shared interests.
Their remarks followed renewed debate over the political identity of Mount Kenya after CS Ruku argued that counties in the eastern part of the region should unite and pursue their own political and economic agenda.
Ruku has identified Mount Kenya East as comprising Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo and Kirinyaga, and has argued that the bloc should consolidate its political support behind Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
He has also claimed that Mount Kenya East has for years supported political leaders from Mount Kenya West without receiving similar political backing in return.
However, GEMA Kirinyaga County chairman John Ngure Gathungu said the debate should not be allowed to distract residents from issues directly affecting their lives.
“We want our people to remain united. Kirinyaga should not be dragged into politics of division. Our people are interested in development and how they will benefit,” Gathungu said.
He said residents should be free to support leaders based on their ability to deliver services and development rather than being pushed into political camps defined by geographical boundaries.
Gathungu also distanced the council from individuals from Kirinyaga who recently attended a meeting in Embu where Deputy President Kindiki was present.
He said those who attended the meeting did so in their individual capacities and had no mandate to speak on behalf of the Kikuyu council of elders in Kirinyaga.
According to Gathungu, the presence of individuals from the county at political meetings should therefore not be interpreted as an endorsement by the wider council.
He said GEMA leaders in Kirinyaga would continue pushing for unity and called on Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru to take a leading role in bringing together elected leaders, elders and other community representatives to safeguard the county’s interests.
The elders said Kirinyaga should not be forced to choose sides in an East-West political contest, arguing that communities across Mount Kenya share deep historical, cultural and economic ties.
Joseph Murithii Warutere, a chief elder in the Kirinyaga Council of Elders, said the council would continue engaging residents across the county to counter what it views as attempts to create political divisions.
“We have our leaders in Kirinyaga. Nobody should use Kirinyaga to advance a political agenda that divides our people,” Warutere said.
He argued that the county already has elected leaders with a mandate to articulate the interests of residents and cautioned national political figures against making statements that could create unnecessary tension.
Warutere said elders would hold further consultations with community leaders across Kirinyaga to ensure development and the interests of residents remain central to political discussions.
Waweru Mugo, an elder from Mwea, also criticised Ruku’s remarks, describing the push to separate Mount Kenya into competing political blocs as backward.
Mugo said such statements were particularly concerning coming from a Cabinet Secretary serving in the national government.
He argued that GEMA – traditionally referring to the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru communities – was founded on the idea of unity and should not be used as a platform for political fragmentation.
Mugo also cautioned against what he termed propaganda aimed at creating divisions within Mount Kenya, saying residents should be allowed to make their own political choices.
He said people in Mwea and the wider Kirinyaga County should determine their political direction based on their interests, development priorities and the performance of individual leaders rather than pressure to join emerging regional blocs.
The disagreement highlights the growing political contest over Mount Kenya as leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
The debate over Mount Kenya East and West has increasingly featured in political meetings, with some leaders arguing that the eastern counties need a stronger and more independent voice in national politics.
With political alignments beginning to take shape ahead of 2027, the elders said they would resist attempts to turn Kirinyaga into a battleground between competing Mount Kenya East and West interests, insisting that development should remain the county’s main priority.
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