Calls to politically separate Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West have intensified following the opposition’s victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with leaders from the eastern region urging residents to unite behind President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at Kinoru,Imenti North sub county , Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene and Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi said the by-election had exposed widening political differences between the two regions.
The leaders argued that Mt Kenya East should chart its own political path and safeguard Deputy President Kindiki’s position.
Murungi said the Ol Kalou by-election results reflected what he termed as hostility towards President Ruto following his appointment of Kindiki as Deputy President.
“We have stood with our brothers from the other side of the mountain for many years, but the moment our son Kithure Kindiki became Deputy President, they turned against us. What happened in Ol Kalou was disrespectful to President William Ruto because he chose our son to deputise him. We have said we will not accept that disrespect,” said Murungi.
The senator challenged leaders from the Kikuyu community to openly declare their political position, saying Meru leaders would equally make their stand known.
Murungi also urged Meru residents to elect leaders based on integrity and development records rather than political rhetoric.
“We are not interested in whether it is one term, two terms or six terms. What we want are credible leaders who can move Meru forward. You cannot be a rogue and expect to become governor simply because you are talking about one term,” he said.
Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi called on residents to embrace the unity currently being witnessed among the county leadership, saying it had strengthened the region’s political voice.
“The governor, senator and county assembly are working together. That unity and speaking in one voice has never happened before. Both the senator and the governor are capable leaders. Do not allow yourselves to be deceived as the Meru community,” said Bundi.
Bundi urged residents to fully support President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki, describing the deputy presidency as a position the region must protect.
“We must support President William Ruto and Professor Kithure Kindiki 100 per cent. Kindiki is our son and we must stand behind him and guard him jealously,” he said.
He warned that several regions were interested in the deputy presidency, saying losing the position would be a major political setback for Mt Kenya East.
“If you go around this country, every region wants the Deputy President’s position. The Luo, the Luhya and the Coast all want it, and today we are the holders. If we lose it, history will judge us as the worst community for failing to protect it. We must think and rethink,” Bundi added.
Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene argued that Mt Kenya East had supported political leaders from Mt Kenya West for decades but had not received equitable development.
“Go to Nyeri, Kiambu and Murang’a. There is hardly a village without a tarmac road, electricity and water connectivity, yet Mt Kenya East has lagged behind in development,” said Munene.
He recalled that the region overwhelmingly supported former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta before backing Rigathi Gachagua for the deputy presidency.
“But when it comes to Kithure Kindiki, they sideline us. We are tired,” he said.
Referring to the Ol Kalou by-election, Munene criticised leaders campaigning against President Ruto’s re-election.
“You wake up in government houses, use government resources and then tell us the President should serve only one term. They should respect Kithure Kindiki,” he said.
Munene further disclosed that leaders from Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo and Kirinyaga had agreed to work together politically under the Mt Kenya East banner.
“The MPs have chosen me as their chairman. If those on the other side want to remain with their mountain, let them be. If they want to support President Ruto, they can do so. If they want to join the opposition, they are free. We shall pursue our own political direction,” he said.
The remarks come days after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku stated that the Ol Kalou by-election had demonstrated the need for Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West to pursue separate political paths ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that the eastern counties have distinct political and development interests.
However, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has rejected attempts to divide the Mt Kenya region into eastern and western political blocs.
By Muguongo Judy
