Mwangi wa Iria raises alarm over alleged emergence of new sect in Mt. Kenya

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has come out to castigate what he termed as an emerging politically affiliated sect in the Mt. Kenya region.

Wa Iria claimed the alleged sect has been referring to itself as ‘Itungati,’ which he said is a name given to Mau Mau warriors who fought against the colonialists.

He said the outfit should be investigated as it poses a serious security threat in the Mt. Kenya region.

“This region has currently been covered by a cloud of apprehension. ‘Itungati’ were famed for slaughtering the white settlers, who is this group targeting?” he posed.

The group, the former Governor claimed, has been holding grassroots meetings and using them to intimidate leaders into supporting them while making the ground hostile for those that do not.

Wa Iria pointed out that while all Kenyans have the freedom to voice their concerns against the government, they should do so without intimidating others.

“This group wants to associate itself with the church and the clergy should take care. Recently, in Shamata, Nyandarua County, they even attacked a police officer. They even want to intimidate the security apparatus,” he stated.

“This group should be handled with a lot of seriousness. We must forestall some of these things because we have seen them happening before in this country,” he said, claiming that some lawmakers are channeling NG-CDF funds towards the outfit.

Wa Iria said the outfit assumes a cultural connotation yet it’s not registered as a cultural group and seems keen on recruiting members from other parts of the country.

He vowed to invite the President and his deputy into the county, daring those opposed to the Kenya Kwanza government not to interfere with the visit.

“They have made it so that the President cannot even send a message of condolence to funeral services. This has never been seen even in neighboring countries that have been having security issues,” he said.

The former Governor further took a swipe at some local MPs that rubbished his recent appointment to the helm of the Public Procurement Regulatory Board as Ruto’s attempt to appease the region.

Maragua MP Mary Waithera on Tuesday said the appointment of Wa Iria, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura would not dent locals’ resolve against the government.

Waithera was speaking during the burial of four children who perished in a house fire and which was attended by Gachagua.

But Wa Iria wondered why the MP was opposed to the appointments saying even more jobs should be given to locals.