We did not endorse Kivuti, elders say

Elders from Embu have denounced the endorsement of Senator Lenny Kevuti bid for the county’s gubernatorial seat in 2017, saying those who endorsed him were just splinter group of elders.

The group, which identified itself as Embu County Elders Forum, said that only seven people endorsed Kevuti, and they could not speak on behalf of an entire community.

Led by Andrew Ireri, the elder said that the elders’ MoU ought to be respected in order to foster peace among the county’s residents.

Ireri said that at no point did the elders specify who they would back for the gubernatorial seat, adding that the communities were prevailed upon to vote for who they wanted .

He said communities, however preferred this “negotiated democracy” as it enabled equitable sharing of leadership between the Embu and the Mbeere.

Ireri said that the group of elders who endorsed Kivuti were only out to satisfy their interests.

The elders were speaking at Nembure grounds where they met to chat the way forward over the political stability of the county.

This comes just hours after Embu County Senator Lenny Kivuti officially declared his bid for his county’s gubernatorial seat, following an endorsement by the Council of Elders at Kanyuambora in Mbeere North Sub County.

Kivuti, said that he wanted to end the speculation about his interest in the top county seat.

The Senator said that the Council of Elders had urged him to contest for the position, and he was extremely grateful for their support.

Kivuti acknowledged that the leaders from Embu County had agreed on a formula of balancing regional interest within the county, adding that this formula must be adhered to by all.

“The MoU said that should the governor come from Embu, the Senator should come from Mbeere and vice versa. The Elders did not want the two seats to go to people from one side of the county. Last time, the Senator came from Mbeere and the Governor from Embu. This time, elders said they will now discuss and give directions n how to share the cake in Embu County,” he said.