The Catholic Church in Embu has differed with politicians calling for the Mt Kenya Region split into two political voting blocs, warning that the move could divide the people along tribal and regional lines.
Catholic Diocese of Embu Bishop Peter Kimani urged leaders to prioritize unity and avoid rhetoric that could create unnecessary hostility and divisions among communities in the region.
Speaking during a church service at St Peter’s Cathedral in Embu Town yesterday, Bishop Kimani cautioned politicians against utterances that could create enmity, urging them to embrace dialogue and work towards unifying the region and the people.
The bishop’s remarks come amid push by a section of political leaders from Mt Kenya East who have been pushing for the region to be allowed to chart its own political course, separate from Mt Kenya West.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has defended the move, dismissing claims that calls for Mt Kenya East to establish an independent political voice amount to a tribal agenda.
Speaking while attending a church service at Revelation Church in Embu Town, Mbarire said Mt Kenya East has a democratic right to determine its own political direction and should not be accused of promoting tribalism for seeking political autonomy.
She argued that leaders from the area have for years supported political leaders from Mt Kenya West and should now be allowed to articulate their own political interests without being accused of dividing the region.
Mbarire also took issue with Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba, who has opposed the calls for an independent Mt Kenya East voting bloc, accusing him of misleading residents on the issue.
Karemba argued that communities in the region stand to benefit more by maintaining their traditional long-standing political alliance with the siblings from Mt. Kenya West.
His stand has however triggered a fallout with proponents of the split led by the Governor and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku who have been in the frontline championing for the region to chart its own independent political course.
The Governor maintained that the debate should be viewed as a question of political representation and autonomy rather than a tribal contest.
Embu senator Alexander Mundigi who had joined the Governor in the church service said that Mt Kenya East has grown politically and called for respect of the deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki who he said was the political supremo in the region.
Political leaders backing the position have also insisted that the DP who hails from Mt Kenya East, should be accorded respect as the region’s senior most political leader who they are preparing to propel to presidency in 2032.
The growing disagreement now pits political calls for greater autonomy against the church’s appeal for unity, restraint and responsible political rhetoric as the region positions itself ahead of the 2027 General Election.
By Samuel Waititu
