Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has rallied residents of Meru to support Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for a future presidential bid in 2032 terming him as competent for the office.
Speaking on Sunday at Destiny Live Centre Church in Athiru Rujine, Igembe Central, Murkomen noted the region stands a better chance of producing the next Head of State after President William Ruto completes his second term.
He urged Meru residents to remain firmly in government and back President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027 before supporting Prof Kindiki in the next succession race.
The CS cautioned residents against listening to opposition leaders whom he accused of misleading the region into abandoning the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Wameru, you need to support the government because Kindiki, after President Ruto retires, he will be the next president so do not be fooled into leaving the government because Kindiki is your son,” said Murkomen.
He described Prof Kindiki as a competent and capable leader who had demonstrated strong leadership both as Interior CS and now as Deputy President.
According to the CS, the partnership between President Ruto and Kindiki had already delivered transformative development projects across the country.
“When you are united it becomes easier to attract development so not allow yourselves to be swayed by leaders who have no development agenda,” he said.
Murkomen was accompanied by Igembe Central MP Dan Kiili, Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi and Meru Woman Representative Elizabeth Kailemia, who also drummed up support for President Ruto’s second term bid.
The lawmakers said the Kenya Kwanza administration had initiated major development projects in Meru and other parts of the country within a short period.
Mr Mwirigi claimed critics were opposing President Ruto because of his development record.
“They are fighting President Ruto because they have seen he has performed better than many leaders before him,” said the MP.
Addressing faithful,he urged residents to compare the current administration’s achievements with those of previous governments during their first terms in office.
The legislator cited improvements in the health, infrastructure, housing and trade sectors as evidence of progress under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Mr Kiili echoed the sentiments, saying the working relationship between President Ruto and Prof Kindiki had brought renewed hope and steady development in the Mt Kenya East region.
The leaders further appealed to residents to continue supporting the government to ensure development programmes and security initiatives are fully implemented.
On security,Cs Murkomen said the government had intensified operations to end attacks linked to armed bandits operating in parts of Meru and neighbouring counties.
The CS announced that the government had set aside funds to construct security roads in bandit-prone grazing zones to improve access for security officers.
He noted that insecurity in the region had largely been fuelled by criminals crossing into Meru from neighbouring Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo counties.
He revealed that an estimated 3,000 illegal firearms were still in the hands of criminals, adding that the government was adopting a systematic approach to tackle the crisis.
“We are planning to open up security roads in grazing zones to enable security officers access areas that have remained inaccessible and used by bandits for years,” he said.
The CS said poor infrastructure, inadequate social amenities and weak communication networks had contributed to rising cases of banditry.
He expressed concern that many of those involved in the criminal activities were youths aged between 17 and 29 years.
“It is unfortunate that young boys are the majority of those engaging in banditry. We must address the social and economic challenges facing them to win this fight,” he said.
Murkomen said the government was strengthening the Kenya Police Reservists programme and establishing police training camps in affected areas to enhance security operations.
He, however, warned that some reservists had in the past collaborated with criminals, saying only competent and trustworthy officers would be recruited after thorough vetting.
The CS further urged herders to graze livestock within designated areas and follow approved routes to help security officers monitor movement and improve surveillance.
He assured residents that the government would not relent in efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
“The Government of Kenya will not leave the people of Meru to suffer in the hands of bandits. We will do everything possible to ensure the problem is ended once and for all,” he said.
Mr Murkomen also said miraa farming remained a key economic activity in Meru and assured farmers that the government was working to open more export markets, including Somalia, while improving road networks to ease transportation.
He further announced that a new police station would soon be constructed in Athiru to strengthen security operations in the area.
