MPs shower Muturi with praises on his Mt Kenya kingpin role

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi installed as Mt Kenya East spokesman at Njuri Ncheke elders' shrine in Meru on March 6, 2021. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

MPs from across the political divide took the better part of the National Assembly session on Tuesday to heap praises on Speaker Justin Muturi over his recent installation as Mt Kenya spokesperson.

The MPs, without retreating back to their political factions hailed Muturi as a wise man who deserves more leadership roles in the country.

Rangwe MP Dr Lilian Gogo was first on the queue to describe Mututri as a bright man who has done well as Speaker and deserves other responsibilities like the recent coronation.

“Many times a fruit just fall by the tree and only fall when it is ripe. It is only right that a wise man who has done the country proud be recognised by his community and be given another level of responsibility,” Dr Gogo said.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega while congratulating Speaker Muturi said he was the third in command after President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy.

He said the new role is a sign that Muturi was ripe for greater things and pledged to support him moving forward.

“For those who come from Mt Kenya we know how important your new role is and we know you are equal to the task,” he said.

Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch said the coronation of Muturi was a matter of national importance and challenged the Speaker to use his new role to unite the country.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari said the coronation deserved more time for discussion in the House because it is not a minor issue.

She said unlike other coronations, Speaker Muturi’s installation was peaceful and without acrimonies.

“Muturi’s coronations never had factions, and it was done in broad daylight. He didn’t have to go at night,” she said.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Inchungwa described Muturi’s installation, as an indication that the people of Meru and Embu have seen something in Muturi.

He said Muturi is a respectable leader who has served the country so well and deserves the new leadership roles.

He hit out at leaders from Meru who have questioned Muturi’s coronation, saying it is not being fair to Muturi after all the work he has done for the country.

Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga described Muturi as a man of integrity and the installation was a confirmation to that effect.

“Congratulating Muturi is very important business for the House, you managed a difficult Parliament impartially and deserves more,” said Wanga.

 

Nominated MP Cecile Mbarire while lauding Muturi, said he has made Embu County proud and pledged to support him.

“It is the first time in history that someone from Embu is being installed to take up such a position in our region,” he said.

Mbarire said she was delighted to hear leaders from other parts of the country congratulating Muturi for his new role.

“Being from Embu County, I am delighted to hear members from other parts of the country saying very nice things about you it is encouraging,” she said.

Muturi was installed as Mt Kenya region’s spokesperson last weekend joining several leaders angling to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s kingship.

The coronation was held at Njuri Ncheke shrine in Nchiru, Meru County, in a ceremony that brought together elders from Embu, Kikuyu and Meru.

Muturi comes from Mt Kenya East region which has never produced a kingpin or a spokesperson and this may influence the region, considering that Kiambu and Nyeri in the former Central region have produced three presidents who have served for 35 years.

Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi counties feel isolated and the entry Muturi may revive the clamour to have one of the two supported to succeed President Uhuru.

Muturi’s appointment as the Speaker of the National Assembly was a political game plan to include Mt Kenya East region in Kenyatta’s government and to quell the feeling that the region had for a long time been locked out by the Mt Kenya West region.

Governor Mwangi Wa Iria (Muranga), former presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, CS Peter Munya, Governor Ann Waiguru are also angling for the region’s spokesperson position.

Others in Deputy President William Ruto’s wing hoping to get a pie in his 2022 pre-coalition agreement plans include Mwangi Kiunjuri who has registered The Service Party (TSP) and Moses Kuria with his People’s Empowerment Party (PEP).