A section of youth leaders from Mt. Kenya East have called on the GEMA community to embrace the unity that the region has enjoyed since its formation in 1971.
They appealed to the community not to allow political rivalry to disintegrate the unity it has enjoyed for over five decades in advancing the social and political needs and interests of the region.
Speaking at a press briefing in Embu Town on Saturday, while launching the GEMA flag, the young leaders maintained that by working together as one united region, they stand to achieve more than they would when fragmented into different political factions and outfits.
Led by political lobbyist Kirangacha Mwaniki, the leaders said the flag is to serve as a symbol of unity and shared hope for the communities in the region.
“We have stood together in campaigns, at the ballot, in victory and in losses, and so we should not allow the growing political divisions to drive a wedge between us,” observed Kirangacha.
He said the flag should serve as a call and reminder of years of shared unity and direction.
The young leaders announced plans to hoist the flag on the highest peak of Mt. Kenya on the Eastern side, to affirm that the community kingpin was the Deputy President, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who hails from the region.
Mwaniki said the UDA win in the recent Mbeere North parliamentary by-election acted as a referendum and endorsement that Kindiki was the political leader of the region.
They dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s declaration as the spokesperson of the region as a fallacy.
“We urge our people in the entire region to rally behind Kindiki, who has demonstrated that he is equal to the task and has the goodwill to unite the region and offer the right direction, ” said Mwaniki.
His sentiments were echoed by political analyst Bosco Kiura, who asked for Kindiki to be accorded the respect he deserves as the seasoned and senior-most political figure in the entire Mt. Kenya region.
He called for an end to name-calling directed towards the Deputy President over his voice and calm demeanor.
The people of this region are not interested in sideshows and empty political rhetoric, but how they can get their fair share of the national cake,” he said, noting that Kindiki was well poised to lead that push.
By Samuel Waititu
