A section of leaders from the Mt Kenya region have warned the Orange Democratic Movement against pushing for the Deputy President’s post in anticipated coalition negotiations, terming the position non-negotiable and firmly held by Kithure Kindiki.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who led the delegation, dismissed ODM’s assertion that there is a vacancy in the Deputy President’s office, maintaining that the position is constitutionally occupied and should not feature in coalition talks.
“The Deputy President’s seat must be completely off the table. There is no valid reason to target it,” Njuki said, adding that Mt Kenya’s voting strength remains significant in any national political arrangement.
Njuki said if ODM insists on demanding the seat, then the ruling side could as well “donate” Kindiki to ODM while retaining him in his current position, underscoring that the office itself is not open for negotiation.
The governor cautioned against what he described as premature political maneuvering, warning that attempts to unsettle the current constitutional order risk heightening political tensions.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi, Imenti Central MP Kirima Ngushine, Tigania West MP John Mutunga and Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni attended the event.
Speaking during a community empowerment forum in Katheri East, Imenti Central, Meru County, the leaders said any attempt to include the office of the Deputy President in political bargaining would be resisted.
Mwirigi scoffed at opposition leaders saying they are spreading lies and innuendoes against the government.
“Leaders serve not for their own benefits. When the opposition leaders were in the government, what did they do? They have no tangible fruits,” he said.
He said Ruto has truly fulfilled all of his promises and those not yet to be implemented, he will accomplish them all.
“People should never be deceived by the opposition, there are no developments in opposition. Ruto and his Deputy Kindiki are the ideal. This is where we will get more benefits and development. We are planning for 2027 and we voted Ruto’s administration overwhelmingly. We won’t leave it. Our aim is to vote 100 per cent for the next government of Ruto and Prof Kindiki,” he said.
He noted that Meru is from Thuci to Ntunyiri and the region won’t be separated or divided by selfish leaders who are for their own interests.
Kiunjuri urged Mt Kenya leaders to avoid internal divisions, saying fragmentation along ethnic lines would weaken the region’s political influence.
“Once Ameru, Embu and Kikuyu agree to be divided along tribal lines, we will be finished one by one,” he said.
The leaders defended William Ruto’s development agenda, citing infrastructure upgrades, revival of stalled road projects, expansion of electricity connections, water initiatives and affordable housing programmes.
They accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition figures of misleading residents against the government, arguing that Mt Kenya overwhelmingly backed the current administration and should protect its political stake.
“Why should Mt Kenya be treated as an enemy of a government it voted for overwhelmingly?” Njuki posed.
The leaders also referenced the administration’s bottom-up economic model, saying empowerment of community-based organisations and grassroots initiatives is already delivering results across the region.
Mutunga said investments in roads, markets, hospitals and water connectivity are transforming livelihoods, while Muthoni called for unity in the region, describing Kindiki as a unifying and development-focused leader.
“We are ready for any coalition arrangement, but the Deputy President’s seat is a no-go zone. We will defend it,” Muthoni said.
Kiunjuri maintained that President Ruto and his deputy are politically inseparable, arguing that their mandate is joint.
“There is no vote for Ruto and a separate vote for Kindiki. It is tied. If one goes, the other goes,” he said.
Edited by John Majau
