"Conduct himself properly": Kindiki blasts Gachagua, seeks Mount Kenya unity

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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki continues to leverage elders to unite the Mount Kenya region, aiming for political cohesion ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Last week, he met with elders from the Ameru community, the Njuri Ncheke, who bestowed their blessings upon him.

On Saturday, August 15, Kindiki met with thousands of elders from Mt Kenya East and urged them to engage their counterparts in Mount Kenya West on how the vote-rich region could adopt a unified stance.

Speaking at Nembure Stadium in Embu, Kindiki emphasized that the two sub-regions must remain united for the sake of development.

However, he launched a scathing attack on his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of humiliation and political hostility.

"I tried to advise Gachagua to conduct himself properly and tone down his rhetoric so that Mount Kenya East and West could coexist peacefully, but he refused. Instead, he continued to disrespect me. He lacks decorum. If he persists in tarnishing my name, I will confront him head-on," Kindiki said.

Kindiki also mocked Gachagua, stating that he lacked the stature to school him in politics.

He asserted that unity between Mt Kenya East and West is crucial if the region is to retain its standing in national leadership and reap development benefits.

He pledged to ensure the regions unite and speak with one voice regarding politics and development.

He also stated that these regions must work together to ensure President William Ruto is re-elected next year.

He accused Gachagua of dividing the Mount Kenya region for his own political interests.

"Gachagua wants Mount Kenya to be divided so that it does not benefit from national resources. Gachagua is a bad person, and the public should not listen to him," he said.

The meeting brought together leaders and members of the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders from Meru, Nyaangi Ndiriri from Mbeere, Kiama Kia Muembu from Embu, and the Mwea Council of Elders.

The elders, numbering in the thousands, insisted that Professor Kindiki be accorded the respect due to a Deputy President and a senior leader from the Eastern Mt Kenya region.

They stated that the time had come for the Western Mount Kenya region to reciprocate by unconditionally supporting Kindiki in his role as Deputy President and in his future aspirations to become Kenya's first president from the Eastern Mount Kenya region.

The elders also declared Kindiki the political spokesperson for Mount Kenya, asserting that anyone wishing to discuss politics with the region's residents should do so through the deputy president.

They cited the years during which Eastern Mount Kenya supported leaders from the West, including Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as Deputy Presidents Joseph Karanja and George Saitoti.

Kindiki noted that the people of Eastern Mount Kenya have consistently supported leaders from the West without complaint.

He expressed regret at seeing some leaders hurling insults and verbal attacks at him, despite the fact that he is the first person from Mount Kenya East to hold the country's second most influential position. He noted that he had accorded Gachagua respect during his tenure as Deputy President and had never insulted him while serving as the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

Kindiki also supported the elders' call for formal dialogue with their counterparts from Mount Kenya West to forge a unified stance regarding the region's political, economic, cultural, and developmental future.

"We support the request by Mount Kenya East elders to engage with Mount Kenya West elders on how to unite our communities. We will respect whatever they agree upon," he said.

The elders also called for the speedy completion of development projects, including the construction of a dual-carriageway road stretching from Makutano through Embu, Chuka, and Meru to Maua, as well as the Nithi Bridge.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.