Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has cautioned President William Ruto to tread carefully in his next steps as he prepares to rename his new Cabinet.
The county chief believes any decision made by the president will have an impact on how the Mount Kenya region will react to his re-election push in 2027.
Kahiga made the comments as a section of leaders from the region backed the president's move to clean his administrative house.
Governor Kahiga urged the president to ensure fair representation for the Mt Kenya region in the upcoming Cabinet appointments.
According to Kahiga, the region accounted for 47 per cent of the total votes that secured the Kenya Kwanza government's victory, and therefore, the region should not be taken for granted.
"We are very happy to see that, for the first time, the president has listened to the voice of the people and has decided to make some changes in his government," he said.
"However, I want to remind him that the people from the mountain contributed greatly to putting the Kenya Kwanza coalition into government. He should not forget that when appointing his next Cabinet," he added.
Addressing the media in his office, the governor emphasised that the president should remember there will be an election in 2027, and any decision he makes now will have an impact on his campaign in the region.
"As you appoint your next Cabinet, focus on the regions that stood by your development agendas so that those regions don't feel excluded from your government and think otherwise," he said.
Kahiga added that the president should not to allow those who did not support his agenda during the 2022 campaigns into the government.
"We have heard him say that he is planning to bring many on board for a dialogue, even those who did not support him. He is a witness from the previous regime. Those who came into the government through the back door brought chaos into an otherwise good government," he said.
Kahiga also urged leaders from the region to rally behind the unity call by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, stating that the unity of the region would give them stronger bargaining power within the government.
"We have been telling our leaders to listen to the voice of the people, but some never listen. Look what has happened, our region had seven ministers, including the Attorney General. We don't know whether we will be reconsidered. The disunity within the Mt Kenya leadership has been the primary reason behind our political setbacks," he said.
Meanwhile, Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro, who also chairs the budget and appropriation committee, has praised Ruto's decision to fire his Cabinet.
"We are behind our president and we ask God to show him good leaders because what we are interested in is the prosperity of our economy. We want to assure President Ruto that we are behind him and he should do it without fear," Nyoro said.
Kandara MP Chege Njuguna asked the president to consider re-appointing former lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, saying she had served diligently.
“Wahome was elected by Kandara people for her third term and the president appointed her to Cabinet and she had been diligently performing this. It's our humble request she be retained in the government,” said Chege.
Wahome on her part asked Kenyans to pray for Ruto as he needs Solomonic wisdom to deal with enemies within and those far away.
“Some of us are carrying a burden that does not belong to us, but it is a collective responsibility that we all must bear,” said the former CS.
