The MPs, largely drawn from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, met in Nyahururu in Nyandarua County
In a move that could dramatically tip the scales in the 2027 general elections, at least 48 elected leaders from the Mt Kenya region and the diaspora have endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to be their kingpin.
The MPs, largely drawn from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, met in Nyahururu in Nyandarua County and agreed to back the former Tharaka Nithi Senator over Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, setting a thrilling duel between the two who serve in the Kenya Kwanza government.
Notable leaders present at the event included; National Assembly Leader Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira) and Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town)
Others included Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Kuria Kimani (Molo) and John Kiarie (Dagoretti South) among other politicians. However, lawmakers allied to Gachagua did not attend the meeting.
A section of Mt Kenya leaders who have backed Interior CS Kithure Kindiki as their kingpin on Thursday, September 12, 2024. /SCREENGRAB
The lawmakers in a statement after the meeting said there was a need to have a link that would create a nexus with the Executive on matters of development.
“Given the prevailing state of affairs and the urgency of the mission ahead, there is a need to have a link that will create a nexus between us and the National Executive on matters of development.
“Accordingly, we, as the elected leaders from this region and its Diaspora on our own behalf and that of our people, unanimously resolve that our link to the National Government be the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration Prof. Kithure Kindiki, whose responsibilities includes the coordination of National Government functions across Country,” read the statement in part.
The MPs further lamented that efforts to consolidate the developmental needs of the people they represent have been frustrated by the lack of a focal point of reference to who they can channel the interests and priorities of the Mt Kenya residents.
The lawmakers also claimed that the region has suffered politics around unity to support an individual and personal ambition rather than the pursuit and lobbying of the interests of our constituents.
They also took issue with backroom lobbying where leaders from the region are arm-twisted into supporting certain leaders with consequences for those who fail to do so.
“Our attempts to call the region to the orderly prioritization of the developmental needs of the people have been frustrated by condescending threats of dire political consequences unless we support certain personal interests and ambitions,” the MPs claimed.
The MPs resolved that they will push legislative proposals in the National Assembly to enable the country and the region to benefit from development projects before the country gets to the next general elections.
This comes days after elected leaders from Mt Kenya East endorsed the Interior CS as their kingpin, adding a significant layer of difficulty for Gachagua should he choose to go for the top seat in the country in the vote-rich region.
The Mt Kenya and diaspora MPs who endorsed Kindiki over Gachagua include;
1. Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri- MP, Laikipia East
2. Hon. (Dr) Wachira Karani – MP, Laikipia West
3. Hon. Jane Kagiri – MP, Laikipia
4. Hon. Eric Wamumbi – MP, Mathira
5. Hon. John Kaguchia – MP, Mukurweini
6. Hon. Duncan Mathenge – MP, Nyeri Town
7. Hon. Geoffrey Wandeto – MP, Tetu
8. Hon. Wahome Wamatinga – Senator, Nyeri
9. Hon. George Gachagua – MP, Ndaragwa
10. Hon. Micheal Muchira – MP, Oljororok
11. Hon. Faith Gitau – MP, Nyandarua
12. Hon. Joseph Gitari – MP, Kirinyaga Central
13. Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah – MP, Kikuyu
14. Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a – MP, Thika Town
15. Hon. Mburu Kahangara – MP, Lari
16. Hon. (Eng) John Kiragu – MP, Limuru
17. Hon. Githua Wamacukuru – MP, Kabete
18. Hon. John Wanjiku – MP, Kiambaa
19. Hon. Ann Muratha – MP, Kiambu
20. Hon. Njoroge Kururia – MP, Gatundu North
21. Hon. Gabriel Kagombe – MP, Gatundu South
22. Hon. Simon King’ara – MP, Ruiru
23. Hon. Machua Waithaka – MP, Kiambu Town
24. Hon. Betty Maina – MP, Murang’a
25. Hon. Edwin Mugo – MP, Mathioya
26. Hon. Kimani Kuria – MP, Molo
27. Hon. Samuel Gachobe – MP, Subukia
28. Hon. Irene Njoki – MP, Bahati
29. Hon. Charity Kathambi – MP, Njoro
30. Hon. John Kiarie – MP, Dagoretti South
31. Hon. Augustine Mwafrika – MP, Roysambu
32. Hon. Stanley Muthama – MP, Lamu West
33. Hon. Joseph Githuku – Senator, Lamu
34. Hon. Karen Nyamu – Nominated Senator
35. Hon Michael Wambugu – MP, Othaya
WITH THE CONCURRENCE of the following who were absent with apologies:
36. Hon. Martha Wangari – MP, Gilgil
37. Hon. David Gikaria – MP, Nakuru Town East
38. Hon. Kwenya Thuku – MP, Kinangop
39. Hon. David Kiaraho – MP, Olkalou
40. Hon. Muthoni Marubu – MP, Lamu
41. Hon. George Kariuki – MP, Ndia
42. Hon. Mary Maingi – MP, Mwea
43. Hon. Robert Gichimu – MP, Gichugu
44. Hon. Ronald Karauri – MP, Kasarani
45. Hon. Wanjiku Muhia – MP, Kipipiri
46. Hon. Joseph Iraya – Nominated MP
47. Hon. Antony Wainaina – MP, Kieni
48. Hon. Rahab Mukami – MP, Nyeri County
In political terms, a kingpin refers to a politician who controls the ethnic politics of a region. Simply put, if he tells his people to jump, they only ask how high.
One must be a kingpin to have realistic chances of winning the presidency in Kenya.
