Mount Kenya East MPs Caucus Chairman and and Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene during a past event.
A section of Government-allied Members of Parliament from the Mt Kenya region have rallied behind Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, dismissing claims that his position in government is under threat while criticizing National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed over his recent remarks on the Deputy President’s office.
The legislators, led by Igamba Ng’ombe MP Patrick Munene, Mwea MP Mary Maingi and Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, said leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have no mandate to dictate leadership positions within the Kenya Kwanza administration, arguing that they did not secure the electoral victory that brought the government to power.
Speaking during a meeting in Mwea, Munene faulted Junet for suggesting that ODM deserved a greater share of government, including the Deputy President’s position, following the broad-based political arrangement between President William Ruto and the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“Junet Mohamed did not elect this government. He should not demand the Deputy President’s seat. Let him focus on ODM,” Munene said.
The legislators declared that leaders allied to Kindiki would continue defending him within government and pledged to support his political future, including a possible presidential bid in 2032.
“We, the people supporting Kindiki, have no fear. We will fight for him even in his 2032 presidential bid and were certain that Kindiki will be on the presidential ballot in 2032,” Munene said.
The MPs also dismissed remarks by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who has maintained that he would influence the political direction of the Mt Kenya region.
The legislators accused Gachagua of attempting to divide the region following his impeachment, insisting that residents would independently determine their political future.
“Who is he? He should not direct his bitterness at us after he was impeached. He is a failure,” the MPs said.
Kirinyaga Central, MP Gachoki Gitari defended Kindiki, saying the Deputy President had not publicly expressed any dissatisfaction with his position in government.
Gitari also criticized Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku over recent remarks proposing a distinction between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West.
“If we start splitting Mt Kenya, we will be doing the same way ODM is split into four. If he wants to join politics, he should resign as Cabinet Secretary,” Gitari said.
Mwea MP Mary Maingi maintained that Kindiki remained politically influential in the region, describing him as “the King of the Mountain.”
She further argued that Kirinyaga has historically been part of the eastern Mt Kenya region, saying administrative arrangements had long reflected that reality.
“Even before, Kirinyaga was on the eastern side, that is Mt Kenya East. Even before, we were going for Huduma services in Embu, only that I built a Huduma Centre in Mwea,” she said.
The remarks come amid heightened political debate over succession politics in the Mt Kenya region, with rival camps positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election while also engaging in early discussions about the country’s political leadership beyond President William Ruto’s second term.
