Mt Kenya MPs endorse Kindiki as their link to Ruto

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

A section of Members of Parliament from the Mount Kenya region has endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as their primary link to President William Ruto. 

Addressing the media on Thursday, September 12, the MPs expressed confidence in Kindiki’s ability to represent the region’s interests within the National government.

"Given the current situation and the urgency of the tasks ahead, there is a need for a direct link between us and the national executive on development matters," the leaders said.

"As elected representatives from this region and its diaspora, we unanimously resolve that our link to the national government should be Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, whose executive role includes coordinating national government functions across the country."

The over 40 MPs, all allied with the Kenya Kwanza coalition, were led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, MP Kimani Kuria, and Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, among others.

They noted the risks of stalled projects and development delays in the region if they lacked a clear connection to the central government.

Their endorsement of Kindiki comes as a shift away from Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who also hails from the Mount Kenya region.

Their support follows a similar endorsement from Mt Kenya East leaders, who recently declared Kindiki as their regional leader.

"As a region, we have come of age and will now focus on addressing development issues affecting our people," they said. "We, as legislators from Mount Kenya East, unanimously agree that our link to the Executive is Professor Kithure Kindiki."

This development leaves tongues wagging, as Gachagua, having succeeded Kenyatta in assuming the highest political position within Mt Kenya was thought to automatically take up the mantle, but recent talk among the political class shows it may be no walk in the park for him.