Governor Waiguru slams Mt Kenya leaders over push for Limuru III Meeting

Addressing the press on Thursday, a day just before the event, which has since been pegged as a socio-economic and political gathering for the Mt. Kenya region, Waiguru downplayed the conference as mere politics, saying the Kenya Kwanza leaders were focused on delivering for the citizens.

She said that she would not be part of the attendees since those in government had no time for politics when they were mandated to work for Kenyans.

“Sisi tulipeana ahadi kama chama cha UDA during campaigns. Now we are working. Those going around saying sijui Limuru Three, Limuru Two, we want to tell them that at this time, we are working,” Waiguru said.

“Wakati wa kupanga siasa utafika…we are not there yet, we are working so that bei ya unga ishuke. Wakati wa kupanga siasa utafika; sio wakati wa siasa. Wananchi wanataka tutimize ahadi na hapo ndipo tuko.”

The pronouncements by the Council of Governors chairperson whose backyard is Mt Kenya, come a day after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria joined the list of organizers for the event whose agenda remains unclear.

Kuria said the Friday meeting will bring together professionals and businessmen from Mt. Kenya as well as religious organizations to chart the region's path.

He also suggested that a debate on resource sharing will prominently be highlighted at Limuru III after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua sparked a discussion on the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ last week.

"We are going to have that debate because it is justified. We must talk about how our people are being given resources under the one-man-one-vote-one-shilling," said Kuria.

Azimio leaders from the region led by Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua, Jubilee’s Jeremiah Kioni and former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi have been at the forefront in drumming support for the event.

They said the gathering would give direction to the Mt. Kenya region, adding that it would be the start of anti-government protests against the high taxation contained in the Finance Bill 2024.

"We are starting our revolution on Friday and it is part of our home-grown solutions to the high cost of living," said Kioni.

"Already we are seeing people inviting themselves to our meeting....we have started doing accreditation for the attendees," Muriithi added.

At the same time, Gachagua and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah have however expressed their scepticism saying there will not be mechanisms to address the resolutions reached during the conference, adding that it is a zero-sum, given the resolutions will have no avenue for answers.

“We cannot afford as the people of Kiambu, kuingia kwa siasa za ukabila. Unajua kuna wenye walikuwa wakikusanya watu, wakiwaambia kuna Limuru III ati kuenda kuongea mambo ya jamii. Jamii ambayo tutaongelelea ni jamii ya Kenya,” Ichung’wah said.

DP Gachagua added: “The President says a good idea gives way to a better idea. Let my sister Martha Karua, let Jeremiah Kioni instead of coming to disturb the people of Limuru when we are having floods and many other challenges, come we have an office.”