Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has led a section of Meru leaders in calling on the Mt Kenya West region to support Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s presidential bid in 2032.
Speaking at Karache over the weekend, they argued that it will be the region’s turn to lead after decades of backing leaders from the western side of the mountain.
Mr Ruku said the Meru community and its allies had consistently supported presidents from Mt Kenya West since independence and now expected reciprocity once President William Ruto completes his second term.
Mr Ruku was accompanied by Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa and Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi , Head of protocol office of the deputy president Gideon Kimathi among others .
“We have supported our western counterparts since independence without complaining from the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, President Mwai Kibaki, to recently President Uhuru Kenyatta. Now we are asking them to stop divisive politics and support Prof Kindiki come 2032,” Ruku noted .
The Cabinet Secretary criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of fuelling divisions within the Mt Kenya region by opposing Prof Kindiki’s rising political profile.
“Mt Kenya is solid and focused on 2027. We should not allow hate speech and internal fights to weaken the region. Prof Kindiki comes from this region and deserves support, not hostility,” Ruku added.
The leaders at the rally also urged residents to rally behind President Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election, citing what they described as tangible development gains under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Water CS said the government had made significant strides in water, infrastructure, education, health and agriculture and deserved a second term to fully implement its agenda.
“The country has greatly improved development-wise under President Ruto’s leadership. That is why we are asking Kenyans to ignore the opposition and re-elect the President for a second term so that we can achieve our Singapore dream,” Mugaa said.
Mugaa further called on Mt Kenya residents to disregard leaders he accused of lacking development agenda, singling out Mr Gachagua and former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi of being enemies of progress.
“We should focus on productive governance instead of endless political noise. The opposition has no clear development plan for this country,” he said.
Tigania East MP who hosted the fund drive event declared that leaders from Meru would overwhelmingly back Prof Kindiki’s presidential bid in 2032, citing his track record in government.
“Prof Kindiki has proved to Kenyans that he is a capable and principled leader. He performed exceptionally well as Interior Cabinet Secretary and continues to deliver as Deputy President. He has what it takes to lead this nation after President Ruto retires,” Aburi said.
The leaders also called for unity within the Meru region, urging residents to rally behind a regional political party to enhance their bargaining power at the national level.
The legislator said regions that speak with one political voice tend to secure more influence and resources from the national government.
“We want to strengthen our NOPeU party as a regional outfit so that we can increase our bargaining power and secure a fair share of the national cake. If you look keenly, all regions have strong regional parties. Let us not be politically blind,” he said.
The remarks come amid early political realignments within the Mt Kenya region, as leaders position themselves ahead of 2027 succession debate, even as President Ruto focuses on securing a second term in office.
Edited by John Majau
