Kithure Kindiki: Blow To Rigathi Gachagua As 48 MPs Endorse Interior CS As Mt Kenya Kingpin

• On Thursday, September 12, Members of Parliament from Mt Kenya region endorsed Interior CS Kithure Kindiki as their point man
• The 48 MPs said their previous efforts to consolidate development in the region had been frustrated due to the lack of a focal point
• The latest development is a big blow to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who ordinarily is the senior leader in the region

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nakuru- A section of Members of Parliament from the Mt Kenya region have pledged their allegiance to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.

How many Mt Kenya MPs attended the meeting

On Thursday, September 12, 48 lawmakers endorsed Kindiki as their link to the Executive in a direct blow to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Following a meeting held in Nyahururu, the MPs said that after consultations, they agreed that a link that will create a nexus with the Executive on development matters is needed.

At least 35 MPs attended the meeting, while 13 lawmakers sent their apologies but endorsed the meeting's resolutions.

In a statement to newsrooms, the lawmakers said they had unanimously resolved that the Interior CS would be their link to the national government.

"We, as the elected leaders from this region and its Diaspora on our 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 include the coordination of National Government functions across Country," the MPs said.

The lawmakers further resolved to form a coordinating committee to link them and the executive.

"We shall further form a coordinating committee to serve as the linkage between us and the executive in the advancement of people-sensitive legislative and development agenda in our region and our region’s interests," they stated.

Why Mt Kenya MPs picked Kithure Kindiki

The leaders stated that their efforts to consolidate development had been frustrated previously due to the lack of a focal point of reference around whom the people's interests and priorities could be channelled to the Government for actualization.

"The Mt. Kenya Region has suffered high octane politics around fathom unity to support individual and personal ambition rather than the articulation, pursuit and lobbying of the interests of our constituents.

"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. Yet time is of the essence given that we are already under three years to the end of the first term of this Administration," they added.

Why Kimani Ichung'wah warned Gachagua

Elsewhere, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah warned Gachagua against using his push for Mt. Kenya unity for personal gain.

The two have been at odds, with their differing views causing friction among Kenya Kwanza leaders.

While speaking in Meru on Sunday, September 9, Ichung’wah criticised Gachagua for promoting Mt Kenya unity only when seeking personal benefits that do not serve the region or the nation.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke