Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has embarked on meetings with elected Meru county leaders in search for unity after the divisive botched impeachment of Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The DP met Meru county MPs on Wednesday evening and is expected to meet the governor and MCAs over the weekend.
Gachagua met the 12 MPs at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, from 6.00 pm, where they deliberated how to avoid a possible second impeachment in a county where all but one of the MCAs are still firmly against the governor.
The legislators led by Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi impressed upon the government help pacify the fragile unity in the county.
They also called for a meeting between the DP, the governor and MCAs to agree on how the county should forge ahead with mutual respect among the leaders.
It is understood that Gachagua agreed to host all elected leaders in the county at his Mathira residence, Nyeri, on Sunday or Monday before they leave for a bench marking tour in Arusha.
Senator Kathuri said yesterday he was grateful that President William Ruto revealed during the joint television interview that he had tasked the DP to lead the Meru leaders unity forum.
"I am very hopeful that it will be very possible to speak in one voice. What is important is the good will from all leaders that is presently being exhibited," said the Senate Deputy Speaker.
Leaders who attended the meeting were Meru Senator Kathuri, Woman Rep Elizabeth Karambu, MPs Kirima Nguchine (Central Imenti), Rahim Dawood (North Imenti) John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), John Mutunga (Tigania West) Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), Dr Shadrack Mwiti (Imenti South), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri) and Dorothy Ikiara (Nominated).
Conspicuously missing was Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi but Kathuri said they had a Parliamentary Group meeting and the CS being a member of the Executive was not supposed to attend.
But an MP who said anonymity said most lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the Kenya Kwanza government for using Linturi as a linkman to Meru county.
"There was a general consensus coming from the meeting that the top two Kenya Kwanza principals should reach out directly to elected leaders when it comes to matters of lobbying and granting of development projects to avoid unnecessary divisions," he said.
"We had planned the meeting and others so that we are on one page with the national leadership which through the presidential television address have admitted they played a major part in rescuing the governor from the jaws of impeachment," said Ms Kailemia.
She added that the failed impeachment had settled political tension in the county and was hopeful that the county would be able to speak in one voice.
