Njuri Ncheke endorses Kindiki, backs Ruto re-election and calls for Mt Kenya unity

The declaration was made on Friday at the Nchiru Shrine in Meru County, where the council also announced the reconciliation of its outgoing and incoming leadership.

Reading the Njuri Ncheke statement, former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi said the council recognised Prof Kindiki as a distinguished son of Meru and thanked President Ruto for elevating him to the Deputy Presidency.

The elders made their position unequivocal, declaring: “Njuri Ncheke strongly urges the Ameru people to stand firmly with our son Kithure Kindiki, and to support His Excellency William Samoei Ruto.”

The council said the leadership of Ruto and Kindiki would champion peace, stability and development in Meru, Tharaka Nithi and the wider country.

The elders also called for unity within the wider Mt Kenya bloc, citing longstanding relations with elders’ councils in the Agikuyu, AEmbu and AMbeere communities.

Mr Murungi said the council rejected attempts to divide the region, declaring: “There is talk of splitting the mountain. As Njuri Ncheke we do not support the splitting of the mountain, we want one mountain, we have always been one people with our brothers from Mt Kenya West and we wish to remain the same.”

The elders urged Meru residents to defend the community’s political interests while continuing to engage the national Government on insecurity, water shortages, roads, markets and delayed issuance of title deeds.

Prof Kindiki, speaking after the declaration, urged the Ameru community to reach out to political leaders and elders in Mt Kenya West to build a common political front.

“Our brothers in Mount Kenya West have not rejected us at the ballot. We have not gone into an election where I, as Deputy President, sought their votes and they turned us away. Let us engage them,” he said.

He urged Njuri Ncheke elders to initiate dialogue with their counterparts in Mt Kenya West and beyond, saying the GEMA relationship should not be weakened by political differences.

“When leadership is in Meru, it is leadership for the entire Mount Kenya region. When it is in Kikuyu or Embu, it is also leadership for the entire Mount Kenya region,” Prof Kindiki said.

Prof Kindiki also urged Meru voters to back Mr Ruto’s second-term bid, arguing that his position as Deputy President gives the region a direct stake in the administration.

“Voting for President William Ruto next year is voting for ourselves because I serve as his Deputy President in this Government,” he said.

The Deputy President also extended an olive branch to political opponents, saying he had forgiven those who had insulted him and was ready to work with leaders across the political divide.

The elders’ declaration gives Prof Kindiki a significant political boost as the contest for influence in Mt Kenya gathers pace ahead of 2027.

Meru council of elders Njuri Ncheke has formally endorsed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s continued service in Government and declared support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid, while calling for unity across the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The declaration was made on Friday at the Nchiru Shrine in Meru County, where the council also announced the reconciliation of its outgoing and incoming leadership.

Reading the Njuri Ncheke statement, former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi said the council recognised Prof Kindiki as a distinguished son of Meru and thanked President Ruto for elevating him to the Deputy Presidency.

The elders made their position unequivocal, declaring: “Njuri Ncheke strongly urges the Ameru people to stand firmly with our son Kithure Kindiki, and to support His Excellency William Samoei Ruto.”

The council said the leadership of Ruto and Kindiki would champion peace, stability and development in Meru, Tharaka Nithi and the wider country.

The elders also called for unity within the wider Mt Kenya bloc, citing longstanding relations with elders’ councils in the Agikuyu, AEmbu and AMbeere communities.

Mr Murungi said the council rejected attempts to divide the region, declaring: “There is talk of splitting the mountain. As Njuri Ncheke we do not support the splitting of the mountain, we want one mountain, we have always been one people with our brothers from Mt Kenya West and we wish to remain the same.”

The elders urged Meru residents to defend the community’s political interests while continuing to engage the national Government on insecurity, water shortages, roads, markets and delayed issuance of title deeds.

Prof Kindiki, speaking after the declaration, urged the Ameru community to reach out to political leaders and elders in Mt Kenya West to build a common political front.

“Our brothers in Mount Kenya West have not rejected us at the ballot. We have not gone into an election where I, as Deputy President, sought their votes and they turned us away. Let us engage them,” he said.

He urged Njuri Ncheke elders to initiate dialogue with their counterparts in Mt Kenya West and beyond, saying the GEMA relationship should not be weakened by political differences.

“When leadership is in Meru, it is leadership for the entire Mount Kenya region. When it is in Kikuyu or Embu, it is also leadership for the entire Mount Kenya region,” Prof Kindiki said.

Prof Kindiki also urged Meru voters to back Mr Ruto’s second-term bid, arguing that his position as Deputy President gives the region a direct stake in the administration.

“Voting for President William Ruto next year is voting for ourselves because I serve as his Deputy President in this Government,” he said.

The Deputy President also extended an olive branch to political opponents, saying he had forgiven those who had insulted him and was ready to work with leaders across the political divide.