Central Kenya leaders allied to President Kenyatta hold succession meeting

A section of Mt. Kenya leaders allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for a unity of purpose within the Central Kenya vote bloc.

The leaders fired a warning shot to factions, camps and cliques within the region that risk dividing their vote.

While encouraging those with leadership ambitions to present themselves, the leaders dismissed sectional installations of leaders within the region.

The Central Kenya region is on overdrive for President Kenyatta’s successor at the end of his tenure.

And, as the saying goes ‘nature abhors a vacuum’, it is a race against time for the region to forestall a leadership vacuum post President Kenyatta era.

In Nyeri, leaders allied to the Head of State blasted the political posturing, camps and factions already cropping up in Central Kenya.

This, they warned, will divide the region’s vote and weaken its numerical strength at the 2022 presidential negotiating table.

“Lazima tushikane pamoja ndio tuendelee kuwa kwa serikali. Sisi hatutaenda opposition, lakini tukiendelea kugawanywa hiyo ndio direction tunaenda. Kwa hivyo vijana wetu lazima tuwaonmgeleshe waelewe umoja ni nguvu,” said Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.

“Kiongozi hajichagui, hauwezi amka asubuhi utoke kwako nyumbani uingie katika msitu, ukae siku saba, utoke alafu sasa wewe ndio kiongozi wetu,” stated Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.

Already there is a split in the region with National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi coronated as the region’s spokesman in a contested event on one hand.

On the flip side is a camp allied to Deputy President William Ruto claiming they have opened negotiations on how he will address the region’s needs.

The president’s loyalists in the region are calling for a united front as the 2022 General Elections beckons

“As we confront the next election united, we shall reach out to our brothers and sisters so that we can have a complete team and approach it based on our interests as a Mt. Kenya region,” said Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.

Embu Governor and CoG Chairman Martin Wambora, on his part, said: “Mimi siwezi enda njia ingine isipokuwa umoja wa Mt. Kenya region.”

The stakes are high in the region that has always produced a presidential candidate for the last two decades.

Political manoeuvres and posturing is on high gear with a section of politicians projecting themselves as possible President Kenyatta successors; a decision his allies say will be decided at the right time.

“We have encouraged as many people who have political ambitions to express them, then at the opportune moment we will be able to meet as the mountain and make that final decision,” said Kieni legislator Kanini Kega.