UDA courts Muslim community in Mount Kenya to regain political support

UDA Chair Cecily Mbarire host Muslim leaders for an iftar dinner at the Moi Stadium Embu.March 19, 2025. [Muriithi Mugo, Standard] President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has intensified its bid to regain support in the Mount Kenya region by targeting the Muslim community. On Wednesday, UDA leadership pitched a tent in Embu in an event to foster unity and inclusivity, where they rallied the Muslim community to back the government. UDA Chairperson and Embu Governor, Cecily Mbarire who was the host, highlighted her administration's continued commitment to inclusivity, referencing the employment of 25 Muslim staff members over the past two years as a testament to the government's efforts to integrate the Muslim community into the workforce. Mbarire also promised that, alongside other leaders, she would work to improve the infrastructure of mosques in the region. Party Secretary General, Hassan Omar, also addressed the gathering, highlighting that the government of President William Ruto has enacted policies to promote equality among all religions. Omar pointed to the new directive on identity card registration, encouraging Muslims to register their numbers. He further reassured the community that the era of arbitrary arrests of Muslim youths, particularly from the coastal region, suspected of terrorism, had ended. Omar emphasized the importance of continued engagement with the Muslim community, urging Governor Mbarire to maintain her collaborative efforts with them. He also praised the Anglican Church for its stance against political leaders who misuse the pulpit for hate speech, noting that Muslims would not tolerate such actions either. In an unexpected turn, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who had previously differed with Governor Mbarire on several political issues, shared the stage with her. Mukunji stressed the importance of working closely with the Muslim community and reaffirmed his office's commitment to fostering positive relations with them. SUPKEM Chair Hassan Olenado urged Muslims in the Mt Kenya region to register as voters, emphasizing the importance of political engagement. "In a political system like ours, numbers matter. The more votes you have, the stronger your bargaining power at the negotiating table, where crucial decisions that impact our livelihoods are made. Without sufficient numbers, you risk being ignored," Olenado stated. The Iftar dinner, attended by a broad spectrum of political leaders and community representatives, marked a significant step in UDA's efforts to build bridges with the Muslim community in Mt Kenya. It signaled a future of collaboration, mutual respect, and inclusivity, while at the same time sending a strong political message of unity and commitment to all Kenyans.

UDA courts Muslim community in Mount Kenya to regain political support

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UDA courts Muslim community in Mount Kenya to regain political support

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