Kindiki, Waiguru rally Mt Kenya region to back President Ruto's re-election

Speaking during a public sensitisation tour in Kirinyaga Central Constituency, where he was accompanied by Governor Anne Waiguru, area MP Gachoki Gitari, among other leaders, Kindiki cautioned against what he termed divisive and inciteful politics, saying leadership should be guided by “wisdom, not incitement or lack of direction.”

“Do not mislead the people of Mount Kenya to go to the forest and not benefit from government development, yet while you were in power you didn’t build roads, markets, or connect electricity or water for them,” he said at Kagumo.

He added that abusive political rhetoric, including insults directed at the President and other leaders, only lowers the quality of national discourse and does not contribute to development.

Kindiki emphasised that his visit to Kirinyaga was focused on inspecting key infrastructure projects, including the Kagumo–Kiamaina–Kianjagi–Katwe road, part of a 510-kilometre network being constructed at a cost of Ksh 29 billion. He noted that such large-scale investments would not be possible without the county’s alignment with the national government.

“If we were not in government, this road would not have been constructed,” he said.

The Deputy President also highlighted ongoing electrification efforts, including the Gitaro Last Mile Electricity Supply Project, which will connect an additional 7,500 households in Kirinyaga at a cost of Ksh 440 million. 

He further noted the government’s broader goal of achieving universal household electricity access within the next two to three years to spur enterprise and job creation.

In addition, Kindiki pointed to a Ksh.500 million County Aggregation and Industrial Park aimed at boosting value addition and improving farmers’ incomes. He also said the county’s market allocation had increased significantly—from six to 22 markets—following lobbying efforts by Governor Waiguru.

“We support the government because we want our people to get development. Our strategy is to stay in government to get development for our people,” he said, affirming the region’s political alignment with President William Ruto’s administration and its bid for a second term.

Governor Waiguru defended her administration’s record, arguing that Kirinyaga’s progress demonstrates the impact of working closely with the national government. She challenged critics to choose between “tangible development and political insults,” insisting that her leadership remains guided by the electorate’s mandate.

She further reaffirmed her commitment to the government, saying she would not abandon its development agenda, and highlighted ongoing projects including market expansion and the proposed Sagana Agro-Industrial City. Waiguru also pointed to historical trends, arguing that Mount Kenya has consistently benefited when aligned with the national government, and warned that shifting to opposition politics could stall development.

In a notable political signal, the governor endorsed Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari as a potential successor in the county leadership, expressing confidence that the next governor would continue the current development trajectory under the ruling party.

Kindiki, at the same time, praised Waiguru’s leadership as she nears the end of her final term, commending her development record while warning against attempts to undermine her administration. He added that leaders in the region are working together to ensure the Deputy President’s position remains within Mount Kenya.

MP Gachoki Gitari used the event to push for economic reforms, including the fast-tracking of the coffee debt waiver and approval of macadamia sales. He also cited progress in rural electrification, noting 27 last-mile connectivity projects already underway in Kirinyaga Central.