Mt Kenya East elders defend Kindiki, dismiss Gachagua's unity drive

Elders from Mt Kenya East during the Runyenjes Declaration, on July 3, 2025. Muriithi Mugo, Standard]

Elders from Mt Kenya East have reaffirmed their support for Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and condemned what they termed as “tribal wars” allegedly being fueled by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement dubbed "The Runyenjes Declaration," the elders drawn from the Njuri Ncheke (Meru and Tharaka Nithi), Nyangi Ndiriri (Embu), and Ngome (Mbeere) councils, reiterated the position they took in the Izaak Walton Declaration of September 15, 2024.

At that time, they withdrew their support for Gachagua and endorsed Prof Kindiki, then serving as Interior Cabinet Secretary.

“We repeat what we said clearly last year: Rigathi Gachagua divided our people, confused our region, and failed to deliver development. He was never ready to support the Mt Kenya East agenda,” the declaration stated.

In a declaration read by elders Ben Kanyenji, Benard Munyi and Mohammed Ruguongo, they accused Gachagua of allegedly fueling ethnic divisions between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, and questioned whether political attacks on the Deputy President were driven by regional bias.

“Our question is simple: Is Rigathi attacking Prof Kindiki just because he is from Mt Kenya East, and not Mt Kenya West like his predecessors? These attacks are not just political—they are an insult to our people,” the elders said.

They praised Parliament for the lawful impeachment of Gachagua and the appointment of Kindiki as Deputy President.

The elders lauded the DP's performance in his first eight months in office, citing his focus on discipline, development, and national unity.

They faulted Gachagua’s leadership style, citing his tenure as a District Officer.

The elders vowed to protect and defend Kindiki, and urged him to focus on his mandate and continue working closely with the President to deliver development across the country.

“Anyone attacking Prof Kindiki is attacking all of us. We stand with our Deputy President and will not allow political chaos to return to our region,” they said.

The elders further called on the DP to bridge the gap between Mt Kenya East and West, and to guide the region with wisdom and integrity while supporting President Ruto to unite the nation.

The declaration marks a pivotal moment in Mt Kenya politics, signaling political realignment ahead of the 2027 General Election.