Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged voters in the Mount Kenya region to shun what he described as anger-driven and short-sighted politics.
He instead called on them to embrace leadership focused on long-term development.
Speaking on Sunday when he accompanied President Dr. William Ruto and his Deputy Prof. Kithure Kindiki for a church service at the ACK St. Paul’s Church, Kariki, in Othaya, Kagwe urged the region to think strategically about its place in national politics and to avoid emotional politics that isolate it from government.
He warned that the region, which is known for the habit of voting just to punish politicians, risks undermining its political strength and called on the electorate to form the habit of nurturing and retaining their leaders.
“We are not people who jump with emotions every time and spend all our energy criticising everything. That is not leadership. Development comes when you allow good leaders to serve, to grow, and to complete what they started,” he said.
Kagwe told the congregation that other voting blocs in Kenya have grown powerful politically and economically because they invest in their leaders over time, allowing them to accumulate experience, influence and networks that eventually benefit their people.
“Leadership is grown, not rented for one term. You cannot uproot your crops every five years and expect a harvest,” said Kagwe.
The CS was also in the company of Principal Secretaries Alex Wachira (Energy), Betsy Njagi (Blue Economy and Fisheries) and Mary Muthoni (Public Health); Dr. Patrick Mariru (Defence); Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga; Nyeri Women Representative Rahab Mukami; Nyeri Senator Wahome wa Matinga; and Members of Parliament including Wainaina Wambugu (Othaya), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Duncan Mathenge and Murang’a Women Representative Betty Maina.
He extolled President Ruto for what he described as political maturity, pointing to his own appointment to the powerful Agriculture and Livestock Development docket despite having not supported him in the 2020 elections.
“That is leadership with wisdom. It shows this government is about building a nation, not settling political scores,” said the CS.
Kagwe also called on church leaders to pray for wisdom among Kenyans. He said the country needs leaders and voters who make decisions based on the future, not on anger or revenge.
He affirmed that he is firmly in government and fully aligned with President Ruto’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda and pledged to support the administration beyond the next general election.
“This is about continuity, stability and building systems that last. That is how Mount Kenya and the country as a whole will prosper,” he said.
By Wangari Mwangi
