By Blaise Gitonga
A section of Tharaka Nithi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have hit out at Chiakariga MCA Joseph Kinyua ZM for his recent utterances against Governor Muthomi Njuki, whom he accused of disrespecting and not supporting Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The embattled Chiakariga MCA criticized Governor Njuki’s remarks made during the burial of Eric Kimathi, brother to Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza on 18th January, 2025 in Tigania, where Njuki among other leaders accused the Deputy President of sidelining his home region, saying he had neglected Mt. Kenya and focused on other parts of the country.
According to ZM, Governor Njuki ought to have sieved his words, accusing him of insult and disrespect to the 2nd in command by joining the anti-Kindiki brigade and ignoring the fact that the two leaders were from the same county.
“When God elevates someone, your time will also come. ‘Wacha kuwa na machungu. Machungu haitakusaidia’. Kithure Kindiki comes from the same place you come from” – Kinyua ZM
In the burial, other leaders including Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said Kindiki had been instructed to display himself as a face of unity in order to avoid comparisons to the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, where they added that residents from Mt. Kenya region felt neglected in government projects.
“We are happy we have the DP, but that cannot be enough. We want our share of developments that were promised in elections” – Governor Muthomi Njuki
“Go and tell the Deputy President to stop being a coward, he has never come home because he is being told to unite Kenya. How can you unite Kenya without uniting your home?” – Governor Mutahi Kahiga
On Wednesday, eight MCAs while addressing the media faulted Kinyua ZM among other critics for misinterpreting Governor Njuki’s remarks, saying asking for development projects should not have been seen as a move to taint Kindiki’s image.
“Other leaders assume the Deputy President is from one section. Let us not involve him in local politics. He should also visit and bring developments here. There is a manifesto which highlighted what we would receive. When we ask for promises, it is not a way of disrespect, we should get developments like other places. ZM saying that Governor Njuki is disrespecting Kithure Kindiki is wrong. We also want a share of the national cake like the others”, Karingani MCA Godfrey Gaturo said.
Mugwe Ward MCA Jacob Ndeke Kiriko in his remarks insisted that other parts of the country were demanding development projects from their leaders asking MCA Kinyua ZM not to speak on behalf of the Deputy President.
The Mugwe MCA noted that Governor Njuki has always defended and supported Kindiki and asking for projects should not be used as a tool to cause disunity between the two.
“We love our Deputy President but a section of leaders think they own him. Demanding projects is not a form of disrespect. All leaders should unite and ask ourselves if our people have received what we promised them. Other parts of Kenya are asking for development. We should not be silent reason being we were given the Deputy President position. The bare minimum is fulfilment of promises made to the people”, Kiriko said.
Ganga Ward MCA Lysbeth Gateria Mbae said there was need to build a stronger relationship within the three constituencies in Tharaka Nithi County, accusing few leaders of causing disruptions and disunity asking them to desist from petty politics.
“Both the Deputy President and the Governor are our sons. As elected leaders let us concentrate on what we were elected for. Let us stop causing disunity. We are surprised when we see ZM trying to taint the relationship between Kithure Kindiki and Njuki, who always speaks highly of him”, she remarked.
Other MCAs present included Morris Maugu (Muthambi), Zachary Njagi (Nominated), Karuku Wanja (Nominated), Rael Fatuma Murungi (Nominated), Nancy Muthoni Riungu (Nominated),
