On Monday, leaders from Mt Kenya East publicly endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as their leader during a press conference held in Embu Town. This move is widely viewed as a strategy to counterbalance Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s increasing influence in the larger Mt Kenya region.
The leaders, representing Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru counties, announced their unanimous support for Kindiki, designating him as their primary link to the executive. They emphasized that their meeting focused on charting the socio-economic and political future of their region as a unified bloc.
However, this division of Mt Kenya into West and East blocs poses a direct challenge to President Ruto’s political strength. The Mt Kenya region has been a crucial pillar of support for his presidency, and any fragmentation could weaken his base, reducing his political influence both regionally and nationally.
During the Monday press conference, Mount Kenya East Members of Parliament expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for appointing three Cabinet Secretaries from the region. They asserted that these appointments reflect the President’s trust and recognition of Mount Kenya East’s importance.
The push for regional division is seen by many as a strategic attempt to undermine the President’s leadership. A fragmented Mt Kenya may struggle to rally behind his agenda with the same unity and force, potentially leaving the President vulnerable unless he is considering alternative strategies.
At a time when the country is focused on fostering national unity, dividing Mt Kenya could undermine the President’s efforts to secure such unity. The actions of some officials within the Kenya Kwanza government, who appear to support this regional division, suggest an agenda that is not aligned with the President’s vision of a united country. Their moves may be aimed at destabilizing the President’s strongholds ahead of the 2027 elections.
