Embu, Kenya – August 26, 2024: Amid rising political tensions in the Mt Kenya region, Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku has sparked controversy by advocating for the division of the region into Mt Kenya East and West. Ruku made the call during a church service in Mung'au, Embu County, suggesting that the time had come for the region to split its political allegiance and pursue independent development goals under separate leadership.
A Call for Independent Leadership
Ruku’s proposal centers on the idea that Mt Kenya East should unite under the leadership of influential figures like Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Attorney General Justin Muturi. He argued that the region’s political discourse should move away from the broader Mt Kenya alignment, which he claimed has been mired in constant power struggles.
"I think it is high time we divide the mountain so that we can have a Mt Kenya East and West. This daily politics of winning that Mt Kenya is this and that, we are tired of it," Ruku told the congregation, emphasizing the need for a more localized and focused approach to political negotiations.
Indirect Criticism of Rigathi Gachagua
Ruku’s comments were seen as a subtle jab at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, who have been vying for political dominance in the region. Gachagua, who has been positioning himself as the leader of the entire Mt Kenya region, faces opposition from leaders like Kiunjuri, who argue that he is unfit to lead and accuse him of attempting to isolate the region for personal political gain.
Ruku criticized the continuous political wrangling from the western side of Mt Kenya, implying that such infighting distracts from the region’s development goals. By advocating for a split, Ruku hopes to create a political environment where Mt Kenya East can focus on its own priorities without being overshadowed by the ongoing power struggles in the larger region.
Growing Factions Ahead of 2027 Elections
Ruku’s proposal comes at a time when political factions are solidifying ahead of the 2027 General Election. The division within Mt Kenya has been exacerbated by differing opinions on who should be the region’s political kingpin. While some leaders support Gachagua, others, like Kiunjuri, believe that his leadership could divide the region and weaken its influence on the national stage.
Kiunjuri recently accused Gachagua of undermining President William Ruto’s influence in the vote-rich region, suggesting that the Deputy President’s efforts to consolidate support are part of a broader scheme to gain control over Mt Kenya at the expense of the region’s unity.
