Meru: Calls to politically separate Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West have intensified following the opposition’s victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with leaders from the eastern region urging residents to unite behind President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking at Kinoru, Imenti North sub-county, Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene, and Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi highlighted the growing political differences between the two regions.
According to Kenya News Agency, the leaders argued that Mt Kenya East should chart its own political path and safeguard Deputy President Kindiki’s position. Murungi expressed that the Ol Kalou by-election results reflected hostility towards President Ruto following his appointment of Kindiki as Deputy President. He emphasized the need for respect towards President Ruto’s choice of running mate and challenged Kikuyu community leaders to declare their political stance.
Murungi urged Meru residents to prioritize electing leaders based on integrity and development records rather than political rhetoric. He emphasized the importance of having credible leaders to propel Meru forward, dismissing the focus on term limits.
Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi highlighted the importance of unity among the county leadership, which had strengthened the region’s political voice. He encouraged residents to fully support President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki, emphasizing the necessity to protect the deputy presidency, a position crucial to the region.
Bundi warned of the interest from other regions in the deputy presidency, underscoring the importance of retaining the position for Mt Kenya East’s political future. He stressed the significance of collective effort to maintain their hold on the deputy presidency.
Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene pointed out the disparity in development between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, despite the region’s historical support for leaders from the western side. Munene criticized the lack of equitable development and voiced the region’s frustration over being sidelined after supporting previous administrations.
Munene criticized those opposing President Ruto’s re-election, urging them to respect Deputy President Kindiki. He disclosed that leaders from Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, and Kirinyaga had agreed to work together politically under the Mt Kenya East banner, expressing readiness to pursue their own political direction if necessary.
The remarks follow Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku’s assertion that the Ol Kalou by-election highlighted the need for Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West to pursue separate political paths. However, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has rejected attempts to divide the Mt Kenya region into eastern and western political blocs.
