Elders from Mount Kenya East have called on their counterparts in Mount Kenya West to return decades of political loyalty by backing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and lining up behind his future presidential bid.
In an extraordinary and solemn gathering at Nembure Grounds, the Njuri Ncheke Supreme Council, Nyaangi Ndiriri, Kiama Kia Muembu, Ngome and Mwea Councils of Elders adopted a resolution pushing for tighter political unity across the wider Mountain bloc and a fresh alignment around Kindiki.
The elders said Mount Kenya East had stood faithfully with leaders from Mount Kenya West for decades, and insisted the time had come for the West to reciprocate by endorsing Kindiki as the region sharpens its claim to national power.
“Political relationships are strengthened by mutual respect, reciprocity, solidarity and trust,” the elders said in their resolution.
They anchored their appeal on what they described as a long record of political sacrifice by Mount Kenya East, saying the region had backed former president Jomo Kenyatta for 15 years, Mwai Kibaki as vice president for 12 years and later as president for 10 years, and Uhuru Kenyatta as president for another 10 years without division or hesitation.
They further said Mount Kenya East had also offered unconditional support to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his two years in office.
“We collectively, as the people of Mount Kenya East, supported President Jomo Kenyatta for 15 years, Mwai Kibaki as Vice President for 12 years and later as President for 10 years, and later Uhuru Kenyatta as President for 10 years without question or division,” the elders said.
“The people of Mt. Kenya East also extended unconditional support and solidarity to Rigathi Gachagua for the two years he served as Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.”
The elders urged residents of Mount Kenya West, including those in the diaspora, to seize what they termed a defining moment and extend to Kindiki the same political solidarity and brotherhood long accorded to leaders from their side of the Mountain.
The resolution also sought to place Kindiki at the centre of all political engagements touching the Mountain, saying anyone seeking to engage the region on political or development matters should do so through the Deputy President.
They said Kindiki should be recognised as the national channel through which Mount Kenya East would speak on matters affecting its political and development future.
The councils also mandated structured engagements with their Mount Kenya West counterparts, including Kiama Kia Ma, to forge a common position on issues affecting the wider region.
The planned talks are expected to cover support for President William Ruto’s re-election campaign and Kindiki’s own succession ambitions.
The elders have reaffirmed support for the Ruto administration and pledged to back his bid for a second term in the 2027 general election.
