Usawa Kwa Wote party leader Mwangi wa Iria has cautioned Mt Kenya politicians against ethnic politics.
He says this could cause disunity and unnecessary rivalry with communities for Western.
Addressing a press conference in Gatanga, today, the former Murang'a governor said he will work towards unity by holding meetings with community leaders.
“During the Mau Mau war, the Luhya community led by Elijah Masinde played a huge role in hiding war veterans from being arrested by the British soldiers. It is pathetic that there are people out to sabotage this relationship. We should guard that relationship for the prosperity of our nation,” he said.
He urged the Kenya Kwanza government to shun tribal politics and concentrate on developing the country and lifting the majority of Kenyans from poverty.
Wa Iria was reacting to sentiments by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who has warned Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja against interfering with businesses owned by Mt Kenya people in the city, following plans to relocate upcountry long-distance matatus and buses from the CBD to Green Park terminus.
“The leaders started fighting Governor Johnson Sakaja but the fight was skewed to involve the communities,” he said.
He also announced that he will vie for the presidency in 2027 and has already started collecting signatures to support his candidature.
Wa Iria claimed some leaders conspired to frustrate his candidature in the August 9, 2022, General Election, through reports that he did not gather enough signatures.
“I have started collecting the signatures to contest the presidency in 2017,” he said.
He castigated Mt Kenya leaders for failure to articulate challenges faced by farmers in the region.
“Concerns on prices of milk, coffee, tea, rice, potatoes among others remain a mirage as local leaders engage in petty politics instead of articulating issues facing farmers,” said Wa Iria.
bgikandi@standardmedia.co.ke
