Tag: Mt Kenya politics

  • Uhuru Kenyatta Draws Battle Lines in Mt. Kenya Politics Defends Gachagua and Warns Jubilee Rebels to Toe the Line

    Uhuru Kenyatta Draws Battle Lines in Mt. Kenya Politics Defends Gachagua and Warns Jubilee Rebels to Toe the Line

    Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has waded into the growing political tension within the Jubilee Party, warning leaders against attacking Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

    Speaking during a Jubilee grassroots meeting in Murang’a, Uhuru condemned the abusive political tone taken by some of his allies, accusing them of promoting division instead of unity.

    His remarks come at a time when tribal loyalties are hardening across Mt. Kenya, with 2027 shaping into a fierce contest for the region’s political soul.

    Uhuru Kenyatta Draws Battle Lines in Mt. Kenya Politics Defends Gachagua and Warns Jubilee Rebels to Toe the Line
    Uhuru Kenyatta’s fiery defence of Rigathi Gachagua marks a decisive turn in Mt. Kenya politics, signaling his determination to reclaim influence and shape the region’s 2027 power game. [PHOTO/Courtesy]

    Uhuru’s Tough Warning and the Battle for Respect in Mt. Kenya Politics

    Uhuru Kenyatta, visibly agitated, accused certain Jubilee officials of engaging in online insults and factional battles instead of strengthening the party. “I’m saddened to see people on social media who pretend to defend the party by insulting Rigathi Gachagua and others,” he said. “I don’t want that nonsense in my party. People should do their politics respectfully.”

    He added that he would not hesitate to expel any member who continued to insult Gachagua or other leaders. “Before I hand over this party, if they continue doing so, I will call them out and send them packing,” he said.

    The former president directed his warning particularly at Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, who has been one of Gachagua’s most vocal critics. Uhuru urged Kioni and other party officials to focus on rebuilding the party’s grassroots base rather than attacking individuals. “Instead of wasting time insulting leaders on social media, go out and sell our agenda,” he said.

    Uhuru’s move is widely seen as an attempt to consolidate his Mt. Kenya support base ahead of 2027, when he is expected to back a presidential candidate capable of challenging President William Ruto’s dominance in the region.

    Mt. Kenya Politics Enter a New Phase of Realignment

    The former president’s remarks have reignited debate about Mt. Kenya’s political direction. With the 2027 elections fast approaching, local leaders are scrambling to position themselves around key power brokers. Uhuru’s public defence of Gachagua—once his fierce rival—signals a shift in alliances and a calculated attempt to rally the Kikuyu community behind a unified agenda.

    Analysts believe Uhuru is seeking to neutralize internal divisions that could weaken his influence in Mt. Kenya politics. By extending an olive branch to Gachagua, Uhuru aims to rebrand Jubilee as a mature political force capable of negotiating for power on its own terms. His comments also reflect his desire to distance himself from the perception that Jubilee is fractured and leaderless.

    The tension between Gachagua and some Jubilee officials stems from competing ambitions for control of the Mt. Kenya bloc. While Gachagua has been working to cement his grip on the region under the UDA banner, Uhuru’s allies have sought to counter that influence through opposition politics. Uhuru’s latest intervention, therefore, could be a strategic move to avoid a full-scale split that would benefit Ruto’s camp.

    Uhuru Backs Matiang’i and Hints at Broader Opposition Unity

    By aligning himself with Gachagua, Uhuru is attempting to reclaim lost ground among Kikuyu voters who shifted to Ruto in 2022. His remarks were not just about party discipline; they were about sending a clear message that the Mt. Kenya vote must be consolidated and respected. [PHOTO/Courtesy]
    During the meeting, Uhuru also endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for the presidency. He described him as a hardworking leader whose record speaks for itself. “I have worked with Matiang’i, and I know his potential. His achievements during our administration are visible,” Uhuru said.

    He dismissed claims that his support for Matiang’i is based on personal loyalty, insisting it stems from competence and experience. Political observers interpret this endorsement as part of Uhuru’s broader strategy to build a formidable opposition alliance anchored on experience and national appeal.

    His remarks appear designed to send a message that his camp is organizing for 2027, with a possible Uhuru-Matiang’i axis taking shape. However, this positioning will require careful balancing to maintain unity within Mt. Kenya while also appealing to other regions skeptical of Kikuyu dominance.

    Tribal Politics Take Center Stage in Mt. Kenya Ahead of 2027

    Uhuru’s warning to Jubilee leaders also underscores the resurgence of tribal politics in Mt. Kenya. Despite public calls for issue-based politics, ethnic loyalty remains a decisive factor in regional elections. Uhuru’s defence of Gachagua—whom many in the region still view as a “son of the soil”—plays into this dynamic.

    By aligning himself with Gachagua, Uhuru is attempting to reclaim lost ground among Kikuyu voters who shifted to Ruto in 2022. His remarks were not just about party discipline; they were about sending a clear message that the Mt. Kenya vote must be consolidated and respected.

    Political insiders say Uhuru’s latest move could reshape alliances across central Kenya. If he manages to rally the region around a single political agenda, it could complicate President Ruto’s re-election path and re-energize the opposition’s push for unity.

    For now, Jubilee’s internal discipline remains a test of Uhuru’s authority. But one thing is clear: Mt. Kenya politics are once again at the heart of Kenya’s next great political battle—and Uhuru Kenyatta is not leaving the stage quietly.

  • Moses Kuria Tears Into Rigathi Gachagua’s Mt Kenya Power Moves

    Moses Kuria Tears Into Rigathi Gachagua’s Mt Kenya Power Moves

    State House Senior Advisor Moses Kuria has taken off the gloves and launched a blistering attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

    In a sarcastic and biting online rant, Kuria accused Gachagua of plotting to rule Mt. Kenya politics through fear, control, and intimidation.

    His comments came as Gachagua unveiled the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), which he hopes will strengthen his political base. But Kuria sees it differently — he says it’s the rise of dictatorship.

    With sharp irony, Kuria painted Gachagua as a man obsessed with loyalty and blind obedience, warning Mt. Kenya leaders and voters not to fall for it.

    Moses Kuria Tears Into Rigathi Gachagua’s Mt Kenya Power Moves
    Moses Kuria’s outburst signals a deepening rift within the Mt Kenya leadership. As 2027 approaches, tensions are rising between those loyal to Rigathi Gachagua (pictured) and those who believe the region needs new political direction. [Photo: Courtesy]

    Moses Kuria Accuses Gachagua of Political Bullying in Mt Kenya

    Moses Kuria’s recent statements have drawn a clear battle line in Mt Kenya’s political landscape. Through a social media post titled “The Making of a Dictator”, Kuria mocked Rigathi Gachagua’s leadership style and labelled his methods as coercive and outdated.

    According to Kuria, Gachagua is pressuring Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata to support the newly formed DCP or risk losing his seat in 2027. Kuria ridiculed this move, saying it reveals Gachagua’s desire to rule the region with an iron fist.

    More worrying, Kuria claims, is Gachagua’s plan to vet all DCP candidates personally. This, he argues, is a move to eliminate independent minds who don’t worship Gachagua’s style of leadership. The goal, Kuria said sarcastically, is to only allow those who submit fully to his authority to hold office.

    Kuria listed five examples to highlight Gachagua’s “authoritarian traits,” which he described with stinging mockery:

    1. Telling Governor Kang’ata he must follow orders or face political death.
    2. Personally screening all party aspirants to eliminate “uneducated” ones.
    3. Declaring all Mt Kenya parties apart from DCP as traitorous.
    4. Branding leaders who don’t follow him as “brainless.”
    5. Telling Mt Kenya musicians to only sing his praises, or be boycotted.

    Kuria ended his rant with the brutal quip, “What next… All women whose first name is not Dorcas are sellouts and will not go to heaven?”

    This pointed remark seemed to be a thinly veiled jab at Gachagua’s wife, Pastor Dorcas Gachagua, suggesting the former DP’s circle demands not just political, but personal loyalty.

     Kuria’s voice is bold, controversial, and unmistakably clear—Mt. Kenya must not fall under one man’s grip. Whether voters listen remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Moses Kuria is not holding back. [Photo: Courtesy]

    Kuria Warns Against Gachagua’s Control Over Artists and Leaders

    Kuria didn’t stop at mocking politicians. He took direct aim at how Gachagua allegedly seeks to dominate every aspect of Mt Kenya society — including the entertainment industry. According to Kuria, Gachagua has told supporters to shun musicians who don’t publicly support him. He claims artists who refuse to sing his praise are being blacklisted from events, shows, and social platforms.

    This move, Kuria says, mirrors tactics of political strongmen who silence all forms of dissent — even in music. He called out the absurdity of trying to control musicians’ creativity and the public’s listening choices. For Kuria, it’s a dangerous sign of growing intolerance and insecurity within Gachagua’s camp.

    He warned that if such practices go unchecked, Mt Kenya risks becoming a political puppet zone, where only those loyal to one man’s ambition can thrive. Kuria insists that Mt Kenya needs open political competition, not forced conformity.

    Moses Kuria Calls for Unity While Slamming Gachagua’s Allies

    While Kuria’s attacks on Gachagua were fiery, he also used a Sunday event in Meru to issue a broader warning to the region’s leadership. Without naming names, he condemned those who, in his view, are pushing ethnic loyalty over national unity.

    His criticism is seen as directed at Gachagua and his allies, who have been accused of turning Mt Kenya into a tribal voting bloc.

    Kuria also took a swipe at Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro for questioning how the government is handling social security funds. He said it was immoral for leaders within government to publicly undermine its financial agenda.

    According to him, Nyoro’s remarks were irresponsible and harmful to public trust in President William Ruto’s administration.

    Kuria made it clear that while internal debate is healthy, leaders must be cautious not to feed public anxiety for political gain.

    He urged Mt. Kenya leaders to focus on development and unity, not personal ambition or populist rhetoric.

     

  • Gathoni Wamuchomba Challenges Gachagua: “Be a National Leader, Not Just a Mt Kenya Champion”

    Gathoni Wamuchomba Challenges Gachagua: “Be a National Leader, Not Just a Mt Kenya Champion”

    Kenya needs leaders who fight for all citizens—not just their communities. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has called out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, demanding he expand his political agenda beyond Mt Kenya.

    In a fiery interview, she warned that true national leadership requires advocating for every Kenya—not just one region. Will Gachagua rise to the challenge?

    Gathoni Wamuchomba

    Gathoni Wamuchomba’s Bold Demand: Gachagua Must Fight for All Kenyans

    On March 24, 2025, Gathoni Wamuchomba spoke on a local TV station, challenging Rigathi Gachagua to shift his focus. She praised his efforts in defending Mt Kenya’s interests but insisted he must do more.

    “Gachagua already has Mt Kenya’s support—he doesn’t need to keep proving it,” she said.  “Now, he must fight for the Turkana, the Luo, and all forgotten communities.”

    Wamuchomba argued that Gachagua’s influence is strong enough to push for national change. Instead of only speaking for his backyard, he should tackle issues like:

    • Excessive taxation hurting working-class Kenyans
    • Unfair payslip deductions draining salaries
    • Marginalization of minority communities

    “If he’s a true national leader, we need to see the same energy for all Kenyans,” she declared.

    Why Gachagua Holds the Power to Unite Kenya

    Wamuchomba pointed out that Gachagua’s political strength is undeniable. Recently, he successfully pressured President Ruto to halt the removal of Mt Kenya Principal Secretaries.

    “When Gachagua speaks, Ruto listens,” she said. “Imagine if he used that power to fight for all regions?”

    She believes Gachagua’s time outside government has taught him valuable lessons.

    “If he returns as Deputy President, he’ll act differently,” Wamuchomba predicted. “He now understands Kenya’s pain goes beyond one mountain.”

    Leadership Requires Bold Choices

    Gathoni Wamuchomba’s message is clear: Kenya’s future depends on leaders who prioritize unity over tribal politics. Gachagua has a choice—remain a regional champion or step up as a true national leader.

    “The mountain will always stand with him,” she said. “Now, it’s time to stand with all Kenyans.”

    Will Gachagua answer the call? The nation is watching.

  • Mt Kenya Is Officially Done With You, Gachagua Tells Ruto

    Mt Kenya Is Officially Done With You, Gachagua Tells Ruto

    Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asserted that Central Kenya has officially cut political ties with President William Ruto and will not back his re-election bid in 2027.

    Gachagua now says the region has shifted its loyalty following the betrayal from President Ruto that was marked with his impeachment last year.

    “From today, the people of Central Kenya have politically disengaged from President Ruto.We will not support him in 2027,” he said in a televised interview at his Wamunyoro residence.

    Gachagua also disclosed that the region was pulling out of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), signaling the end of its partnership with the ruling coalition with the focus shifting to the new political vehicle set to be unveiled in May.

    “We are finished with UDA.Never again will we go to an election without our own political party. Last time, we attended the wedding in the groom’s car, but when we reached the river, he asked us to step out and gave others a ride,”he noted.

    Gachagua has also warned Mt Kenya leaders who support President William Ruto despite his ‘betrayal’ to the region that they will face the backlash in the next general elections.

    Issuing his ‘interim’ report in a televised address in Wamunyoro residence,Gachagua promised to decampaign the political leaders adding that he will ensure they are rejected at the ballot.

    “This region will vote out all leaders who prioritize their own interests over the community,” he warned. “Those who sell our people for their personal gain will never see leadership again in Mt. Kenya,” he stated.

    The Former Deputy President disclosed that he has been observing leaders from the region who have been cheering the President in rallies while he is openly disrespecting and insulting the region.

    “Our people already know who these individuals are. When the time comes, they will be dealt with accordingly,”Gachagua noted.

    The Former Mathira MP highlighted the resurgence of illicit brews and criminal groups in Central Kenya which he said was part of a grand scheme to undermine the Mt Kenya region.

    Gachagua attributed the issue to weak enforcement and government inaction saying they wont succeed.

    Let me be clear—no one can isolate our community. The real issue is not with Kenyans; it’s with President Ruto,” he declared.

    He also took issue with President Ruto’s recent move to abolish the long-standing vetting process for residents of border counties seeking national identity cards, suggesting it was driven by ulterior motives.

    “This is part of a larger plan to sideline the Mt. Kenya region by manipulating voter demographics,” he alleged.

  • Gachagua Impeachment: Kuria’s Warning Haunts Mt. Kenya as Ouster Begins

    Gachagua Impeachment: Kuria’s Warning Haunts Mt. Kenya as Ouster Begins

    Moses Kuria’s warning is now haunting Mt. Kenya. After his Chama Cha Kazi party lost to UDA, he cautioned the region about the dangers of lacking a united political front.

    With Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua facing impeachment, Kuria’s words are hitting home.

    The impeachment push has sparked political tension, with alliances shifting and President Ruto’s camp facing potential rebellion.

    The question looms: will Gachagua survive, or is this the beginning of his fall? The stakes are high, and all eyes are on Mt. Kenya.

    Gachagua Impeachment

    Gachagua Impeachment and #KuriaToldYou Trend as Mount Kenya Faces Political Reckoning

    When Gachagua’s impeachment began, netizens on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to recall Kuria’s message.

    The hashtag #KuriaToldYou started trending, with many in the region now regretting their failure to heed his call for unity.

    They fear Mount Kenya is politically vulnerable without a strong regional party to protect its interests.

    City Trends HUB 254, a popular online media outlet, echoed Kuria’s sentiments in a post:
    “Unlike other regions in Kenya that maintain strong, independent political parties, Mt. Kenya lacks a distinct party to champion the community’s needs and interests. Moses Kuria #KuriaToldYou.”

    Another netizen remarked:
    “Moses Kuria saw the future clearly. Mt. Kenya’s political vulnerability today is a result of ignoring his call for regional unity. #KuriaToldYou.”

    Gachagua’s Fight for Survival Begins in the Senate

    Rigathi Gachagua now finds himself in a desperate battle for his political life. The Deputy President will defend himself before the Senate after a motion to form a special committee to hear charges against him collapsed.

    Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna refused to second the motion, setting the stage for a full Senate impeachment process. The clock is ticking for Gachagua.

    Insiders say the Senate’s decision is expected by October 18. If two-thirds of the Senate votes to uphold the impeachment, Gachagua will be ousted.

    Speaker Amason Kingi has set October 16 and 17 for the Senate to hear the charges, with Gachagua and the National Assembly required to submit their evidence by Monday.

    The Charges Behind Gachagua Impeachment

    The impeachment motion, led by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, is damning. Gachagua faces 11 charges, including gross violations of the Constitution, undermining the President and Cabinet, attacking judicial independence, and inciting the public.

    He’s also accused of making false, divisive statements, committing economic crimes, and persistently bullying public officers. As the Senate gears up for this historic trial, Moses Kuria’s warning rings louder than ever.

    Mount Kenya’s political future hangs in the balance, and many now wonder if failing to unite under a single party will cost them dearly.

    Moses Kuria, once a staunch ally of President William Ruto, has become a fierce critic of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, despite both coming from Mt. Kenya.

    Just two years into the government, tensions have erupted, with pundits predicting Gachagua’s political downfall.

    Kuria, along with Ruto’s inner circle—Amason Kingi, Moses Wetangula, and Musalia Mudavadi—faces accusations of tribal and party-based pre-election deals.

    Gachagua exposed these secret pacts on Monday night, fueling speculation that his days as Deputy President are numbered. Political battle lines have been drawn, and Gachagua now finds himself squarely in the crosshairs.

  • Turnaround: Gachagua Seeks Peace With The Kenyatta’s

    Turnaround: Gachagua Seeks Peace With The Kenyatta’s

    The season of peace is here and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is not remaining behind. Following recent ‘handshake’ between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto, the DP has also dived in and has apologised to former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta raising speculation of an imminent truce between him and Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    At the heights of the 2022 general election campaign, Gachagua had declared a war on the Kenyatta family that he persistently attacked as the dynasty and attributed most of the Kikuyu’s problems to. Gachagua’s boss President William Ruto and their allies engaged in a smear campaign against the Kenyatta’s during the 2022 campaigns and even after.

    In the run-up to the 2022 general election, Ruto and his team fashioned their politics around presenting Uhuru as the source of Mt Kenya’s problems and poverty claiming his family used state resources to enrich themselves thereby taking advantage of the poor in the Mt Kenya region.

    In the Uhuru phobia campaign, the Kenyatta family was accused of raising the cost of living at the behest of his family, which was accused of benefitting from the oil subsidy program.

    On April 24 last year, in one of his tirades against Mama Ngina, Gachagua challenged her to divide half of the Kenyatta family’s huge tracts of land to the children of Mau Mau who he claimed were squatters. This was after Mama Ngina met freedom fighter the late Muthoni Kirima- Field Marshall

    “I was so happy yesterday to see people saying that they are thinking of how to help the Mau Mau. Even if they have never helped them since 1963 it’s still not late because the Mau Mau and their descendants are suffering,” Gachagua said.

    He added “All we’re asking is for them to help the Mau Mau in a meaningful way. All the land they took from the Mau Mau, let them return at least half of the parcels of land to the Mau Mau and their children including myself.”

    Yesterday while offering himself to what he referred to as reverting the river back to its course, Gachagua said he was aware that such campaign excesses where mothers are demonized were against Agikuyu culture as ‘it would not attract blessings but a curse’.

    “I am sorry for involving Mama Ngina Kenyatta in the last general elections politics. She is our mother. I therefore ask for forgiveness on behalf of our team for any inconvenience caused to her. I will never allow anyone to demean her or anyone from the region,” Gachagua remarked.

    During an interview with Kameme TV, Gachagua insisted that despite the political mudslinging, the issues between him and the Former President is now behind him adding he is ready to initiate talks with him.

    “The former President Uhuru Kenyatta is our son. We worked together for 17 years and only disagreed for 2 years and now that’s the past. I pray for him in his retirement. Uhuru is one of us. We shall talk with everyone,” he said.

    The Deputy President urged the Mount Kenya Region to  embrace unity amidst disunity talks within the region.

    “Our unity is our strength and that’s why I keep insisting that our generation should be protected. Anytime we are in the government we need to have unison in our thinking and loving one another,” Gachagua stated.

    Gachagua’s about turn and change of tune regarding the Kenyatta family is a departure from what he was during the campaign period and in the early months of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Gachagua would use every space, airtime, room an opportunity to castigate Uhuru and his mother as the beacon of ills against Kenya.

    The Kenyatta family’s name hang precariously on the lips of the Kenya Kwanza government and its politicos. The family was accused of being the cause of Mt Kenya region’s economic woes. They claimed that the family was the cause of the poverty that ‘hustlers’ faced.

    In a move targeting the Kenyatta family, on February 1 2023, Kenya Kwanza Senators led by John Methu (Nyandarua) urged the National Assembly to investigate tax waivers enjoyed by the Kenyatta family during Uhuru’s tenure.

    The senators also wanted an audit of Uhuru’s wealth to establish whether the Kenyatta family duly paid its land rates.

    The move prompted Mama Ngina Kenyatta to come out gun blazing saying she is ready to have her property auctioned upon proof of tax evasion by the State.

    “It is a fact that every employed Kenyan should pay income tax, irrespective of their job group. That is not up for discussion. There is no need to malign someone, to seem as though you are doing something,” the former First Lady said. She added “The government has policies in place. If I’m found to have breached the law…even for a year, I will pay the said taxes.”

    On March 27, 2023, Kenyatta’s Northlands Estate in Kiambu was raided by goons, in what was believed to be State-sponsored. A huge part of the farm was burnt, trees felled, illegal subdivision done and sheep stolen some slaughtered and meet sold around the Kamakis nyamachoma area along Eastern bypass.

    In July 2023, the Kenya Kwanza administration came under sharp focus when the former president called the media early night and complained about a supposed raid at his son’s house over claims of possessing arms without license. That was seen by pundits as a move that took war to Uhuru’s doorstep. Uhuru dared the President Ruto administration to arrest him vowing to do all that he could to protect his family.

    “The fact that I’m silent doesn’t mean I’m scared. Come for me. What does my mother have to do with anything? What do my children have to do with anything? You know where I am, come for me”, Uhuru said at the dramatic event.

    Gachagua has been keen on consolidating his support base in the mountain and came out furious with the kingpin discussion when new entrants like Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was being feinted by a section of UDA leadership as a suitable replacement for him in the 2027 elections. Gachagua has now gone back to drawing board and is gathering support from everyone.

    During the Kameme interview, He also expressed willingness to participate in Limuru III conference which is being prepared by Jubilee party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Uhuru’s ally, and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua reiterating that he was open to support any unity mission over Mt Kenya region.

  • Kiraitu-Munya tiff derailing hopes for a Mt. Kenya East party

    Kiraitu-Munya tiff derailing hopes for a Mt. Kenya East party

    The supremacy battle between Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi and Agriculture cabinet secretary Peter Munya is watering down all the desperate efforts by Mount Kenya East politicians to form a regional political party to bargain with their counterparts from Mount Kenya West ahead of 2022 general elections.

    Mount Kenya East covers the counties of  Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu whose leaders have been holding fruitless meetings to form a new political party to bargain for top slots in the next government. The two leaders have instead intensified attacks on each other as Munya who lost his gubernatorial seat to Kiraitu in 2017 vowing to oust him in the 2022 polls.

    Their battle has even spilled into the floor of Meru county assembly where the two are fighting for control of numbers ahead of the 2022 general election hence dividing the local leadership down the middle and frustrating all plans to form a new political party.

    The most furious one is CS Munya who boycotted the launch of a book authored by Kiraitu at Serena Hotel in Nairobi last week. Governor Kiraitu had invited all leaders from Meru to the launch of his book “Beyond Politics; A Conversation with Kiraitu Murungi” in a ceremony where chief guest was national assembly speaker Justin Muturi.

    National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi [p/courtesy]
    Speaker Muturi who has been blessed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as Mt Kenya’s spokesman has also hinted at contesting the presidency in next year’s general election.

    His announcement came months after his controversial coronation to take over the mantle from President Kenyatta whoretires in 2022 . He has been unable to unite the warring factions in the region with about 1.2 million votersbut he enjoys the backing of Kiraitu while Munya has dismissed Muturi as a nonstarter in the state house race.

    Muturi  was also full of praises for Kiraitu whom he lauded for playing a pivotal role in shaping the politics of the region and the country at large. The launch was also attended by Francis Muthaura, Nyandarua governor Francis Kimemia, CS for Public Service and Gender Margaret Kobia, Peter Kagwanja, Ombudsman of Kenya Florence Kajuju, Kiarie Kamau and Mutuma Nkanata, the NGO co-ordination board chief executive.

    But some key leaders who were invited still skipped Kiraitu’s event that was meant to unite the region. They include East Africa Legislative Assembly MP Aburi Mpuri who is allied to Munya. Meru woman representative Mwangaza Kawira who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat also skipped the event like Meru senator Mithika Linturi who is allied to the United Democratic Alliance party.

    Their absence poured cold water on the move by other regional leaders who are pushing for the formation of party for Mt Kenya East like Kiraitu, Embu governor Martin Wambora, Speaker Muturi and Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki.

    Efforts to form a new party were also dealt serious blows when Munya publicly dismissed the coronation of Muturi.  He also dismissed the speaker as a  weak presidential contender, a move which put him at loggerheads with the Njuri Ncheke (Meru council of elders).