Nairobi: Energy Principal Secretary (PS) Alex Wachira has faulted Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku over his recent proposal to have the Mount Kenya region split into two. Wachira says that such a move would only serve to weaken the bloc that has traditionally voted as a single unit. The PS noted that even during the liberation struggle, the Mau Mau freedom fighters fought for independence as a bloc.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wachira further said that the sudden quest for autonomy of Mt. Kenya might, for the first time, see the region alienated from the political negotiation table by other political blocs. ‘The mother title deed for the Mount Kenya region is one. The mountain region will not be divided into Mount Kenya East and Mount Kenya West, like I have seen Ruku suggesting. We will speak in one voice and we will continue to be in government from 2027 to 2032 under President Dr. William Ruto. And we are saying that without an iota of doubt,’ said Wachira.
The PS was responding to remarks by the Public Service CS while attending a church service at Full Gospel Church, Kangaru, Embu, where Ruku had said that Mount Kenya East was politically ripe to chart its own political path, independent of the larger Mount Kenya region. Ruku, who was accompanied by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, stated that Mount Kenya East, which comprises Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Meru counties, must chart its own political destiny and free itself from narratives that do not reflect its interests and development priorities.
The CS insinuated that Mount Kenya East would no longer accept being dragged into the politics of the larger Mt. Kenya West basket, made up of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Nyeri, which had historically marginalized the eastern side. ‘We cannot allow ourselves to be confined in a pocket moving forward. Mount Kenya East must stand firm and protect its own political and economic interests. We will divide the mountain if we must. Mt. Kenya East will stand alone. The East will have its own title deed,’ Ruku alluded.
Wachira spoke in Kieni-East sub-county, when he distributed Christmas goodies to the local residents in an event held at Irigithathi primary school grounds. The goodies included food and non-food items, with the PS saying that the initiative was part of his efforts of ensuring that everyone has something to celebrate during the festive season.
While calling on the Mount Kenya region to rally behind President Ruto’s administration, Wachira said the Kenya Kwanza administration had delivered on its development agenda. He emphasized that the only way of ensuring that the region continues to enjoy development is by backing President Ruto’s re-election bid. ‘We already know the benefits of being in government and we can see the fruits of supporting the ruling regime. The Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriage is nearing completion, Kenyans are getting connected to electricity, farmers all over the country are benefitting from the subsidized fertilizer program, and thanks to this government program, farmers have been experiencing bumper harvests. This is the noble plan that the president has for Kenyans, which will ultimately ensure that the country develops. Therefore, I urge the people of the Mt. Kenya to support the current government and never allow the region to be part of the opposition,’ said Wachira.
On succession politics, the PS said the region will rally behind President Ruto’s re-election bid come 2027. ‘We stand a good chance as the people of Mount Kenya to get back the presidency in 2032. So let us ensure that President Ruto gets his second term and then we will decide whom we are going to front as our presidential candidate after the expiry of his ten-year term,’ said the PS.