Mt Kenya leaders claim Gachagua is undermining regional leaders

The leaders, led by Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, spoke at Machanga in Mbeere South during a thanksgiving ceremony for Embu County Executive Committee Member for Water, John Kago.

They mounted a strong defence of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and called for greater political unity and self-determination in Mt Kenya East.

Ruku said the region would no longer tolerate a situation where its leaders are attacked, undermined, or politically belittled, while those behind such attacks continue, portraying themselves as friends of the same leaders.

He said more than 30,000 elders from Mt Kenya East who recently met had made their position clear, declaring that the region would chart its own political course and make independent decisions on its leadership and political future.

“The people of Mt Kenya East have spoken. Nobody should come and dictate to us who should lead us or which political direction we should take,” Ruku said.

The CS further challenged politicians seeking to influence the region's politics to respect the wishes of its people, saying Mt Kenya East had the right to determine its own political destiny.

Ruku also dismissed the political influence of DCP leader Justin Muturi and Devolution Empowerment Party leader Lenny Kivuti in Embu, claiming that their current influence was far below what they purported to command.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire said leaders from the region would continue defending Deputy President Kindiki and would not allow anyone to undermine him. She said Kindiki had demonstrated his capability and performance since rising to national leadership.

Mbarire said Mt Kenya East should recognise and support its leaders who had risen to senior positions in government, arguing that Kindiki deserved the region's backing.

Taveta MP John Bwire urged residents of Mt Kenya East to reject attempts to weaken or sideline their leaders, saying the region should take pride in having Prof. Kindiki occupy one of the country's highest offices.

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi declared that Kindiki would continue deputising President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, urging Mt Kenya residents not to be swayed by what he termed political manoeuvres aimed at dividing the region.

Mbeere South MP Eng. Nebert Muriuki said Mt Kenya East would not allow itself to be pushed out of government by politicians pursuing personal interests, insisting that the region would continue defending its stake in the national government.

The remarks at Machanga come amid an increasingly intense political contest within the Mt Kenya region, with rival political camps seeking to consolidate their influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.