Meru politician Gideon Kimathi has reaffirmed his intention to contest in the 2027 General Election, while signalling a shift towards cooperation with incumbent leaders to accelerate development in South Imenti and the wider Mt Kenya region.
Kimathi, the protocol director in the office of the Deputy President failed to clinch the South Imenti parliamentary seat which was won by MP Shadrack Mwiti in the 2022 election.
“I will be on the ballot in 2027. However, it would be very foolish for me to continue fighting the incumbent MP for South Imenti now when I have the opportunity to help him get more development for the people,” Kimathi said.
Kimathi argued that political unity, rather than constant rivalry, offers the region a better chance of securing national influence and tangible benefits for residents.
He cited the political trajectory of the Kalenjin community as a lesson Mt Kenya leaders should emulate.
“The people of Meru and Mt Kenya should learn from the Kalenjins. They supported Moi as vice president and later he became president. They did the same with William Ruto as deputy president, and eventually he ascended to the presidency,” he said.
According to Kimathi, backing the current national leadership is the most strategic path for the region to achieve greater political clout.
“The easiest way for our region to ascend to the position of the president is by supporting President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki,” he added.
He further noted that the appointment of Prof. Kindiki as Deputy President places the Meru community closer than ever to the centre of power, warning against internal divisions that could undermine the opportunity.
“The Meru community is so close to State House now with Prof. Kindiki as the Deputy President. Let us not allow anybody to move us away from that great opportunity that we might never get in the future,” Kimathi said.
His remarks come amid ongoing political realignments within Mt Kenya as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls, balancing local ambitions with broader regional and national interests.
