Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi has urged Igembe residents to unite behind Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia in the 2027 General Election, warning that splitting the region’s vote between two gubernatorial candidates could cost it the coveted seat.
Kathuri said it was illogical for two prominent Igembe leaders to compete for the same position when one of them is already serving as governor, arguing that the region should instead rally behind Mutuma to give him another term to complete projects initiated during his first two years in office.
The Senator said he had shelved his own ambitions to contest the Meru governorship to give Mutuma adequate time to implement his development agenda.
“We cannot allow a good, visionary and development-oriented leader like Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia to govern Meru County for only two years. Igembe must wake up and reason. You must come out in large numbers and vote for Mutuma to serve for another five years,” Kathuri said.
He spoke at KK Itama in Igembe North after the finals of a football tournament sponsored by his Kamashinani Foundation in Antuambui Ward.
Kathuri’s remarks come against the backdrop of former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi’s declaration that he will challenge Mutuma for the governorship in 2027, setting the stage for a potential contest between two senior politicians from Igembe.
Linturi and Mutuma both hail from Igembe region.
The Senator questioned why Igembe would field competing candidates for a single seat instead of negotiating and presenting a united front.
“I am shocked that Igembe people seem to be joking. Why field two gubernatorial candidates when one of you is already in power? You are fighting for one position instead of agreeing and uniting to reclaim the seat in 2027,” he said.
He warned that continued rivalry could divide Igembe’s vote and hand the governorship to a candidate from another part of the county.
Other top contender for the Governor is former Governor Peter Munya.
“If this continues up to the ballot, you may lose the seat to Imenti or Tigania. It is illogical to have two Igembe leaders competing for the same position,” Kathuri said.
Kathuri said his decision not to pursue the governorship was informed by the need to give Mutuma sufficient time to deliver on projects launched by his administration.
He urged Igembe residents to judge Mutuma on his development record and give him the opportunity to complete ongoing programmes before making a decision on the county’s leadership.
