MPs Kariuki and Koimburi Reject Kindiki’s Endorsement as Mt Kenya Spokesman
Ndia MP George Kariuki and Juja MP George Koimburi have opposed the endorsement of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as the Mt Kenya spokesman, arguing that the region’s leaders and residents were not consulted.
The two MPs spoke on Saturday when Kariuki hosted Koimburi and a delegation from Juja at his Gacharu home in Kirinyaga County.
Criticism of the Kirigiti Meeting
Kariuki, who chairs the National Assembly Roads Committee, criticised the meeting at Kirigiti Stadium, where Kindiki was presented as a leader of the Mt Kenya region, saying the event did not involve enough elected leaders from the region.
He said only one MP from the central region had been present at the meeting, questioning how the event could be portrayed as a broader Mt Kenya affair.
“A stadium is for football, not to look for ourselves. Opportunities are given by God. We don’t want politics of optics, we want politics to talk with our people,” Kariuki said.
Kariuki dismissed the idea of using the Kirigiti event to install Kindiki as the region’s spokesman, saying political leadership should be based on engagement with residents and local leaders.
“It is only one MP who is in the Kirigiti Stadium. You are starting to hold a tree from the top,” he said.
The two MPs also questioned the process through which Kindiki was being presented as the region’s spokesman, saying he should first seek consensus among local leaders and residents. “We wonder who advised him,” the two MPs stated.
Warning Against Mt Kenya Division
Kariuki further criticised calls to divide the Mt Kenya region into two political blocs, accusing those supporting the idea of being behind the Kirigiti meeting.
“We don’t want those politics of division. Those who are telling us to divide Mt Kenya region are now at Kirigiti Stadium. How soon have you become clever?” he posed.
He also questioned Kindiki’s political support in the region, citing his visit to Mwea on Friday, which he said was attended by only the area MP.
Koimburi Accuses Kindiki of Ignoring Leaders
Koimburi, meanwhile, accused Kindiki of failing to consult elected leaders before holding meetings in their constituencies.
“If things go bad in my constituency or he is attacked like what happened in Embu, who will bear responsibility? It is me. Why then visit my constituency without my knowledge?” Koimburi asked.
He said leaders should respect the role of elected representatives and involve residents in decisions affecting their constituencies.
“We must respect each other whether you are President, Deputy President or MCA. We can’t allow people to enter our place without asking us,” Koimburi said.
The Juja MP also claimed that Kindiki had failed to respond to his calls and messages, while arguing that Mt Kenya leaders should have a role in determining President William Ruto’s running mate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“It is our time to be given an opportunity to choose a Deputy President who can work with William Ruto,” Koimburi said.
He claimed that Mt Kenya MPs were given an opportunity to choose Ruto’s running mate in 2022, saying Kindiki received 28 votes against Rigathi Gachagua’s five.
Koimburi accused Kindiki of failing to show sufficient respect to elected leaders from the region, claiming that the Deputy President had been holding meetings with elders in his constituency without consulting him.
“He is coming to Mt Kenya West without consulting us. He is calling elders meetings in my constituency without asking me,” Koimburi said.
Support for Kariuki as Running Mate
Koimburi further declared his support for Kariuki to become Ruto’s running mate in 2027, saying Mt Kenya should be given an opportunity to determine who occupies the position.
Further, Kariuki acknowledged that the region should be allowed to choose Ruto’s running mate, while expressing his own interest in being considered for the position.
“Ruto has done well, but the problem is his Deputy President who is pulling him down,” Kariuki said.
Kariuki said he was not interested in contesting for the Senate or governorship despite saying residents of Kirinyaga could elect him governor, adding that his focus was on being considered for the Deputy President’s position.
The two MPs said they would continue pushing for unity in Mt Kenya and mutual respect among leaders regardless of their political positions.