Divided Central Kenya leaders to meet today

President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses Central Kenya leaders at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County.

Central Kenya political leaders are to meet in Nyeri today to start a two-day retreat to discuss issues affecting the region.

Coming just days after President Uhuru Kenyatta ended his week-long tour of Central Kenya, it appeared the local leaders were stung by the strong criticism by the Head of State about political divisions in the region.

In an onslaught directed at some local leaders, President Kenyatta described squabbles among leaders as a disgrace, calling on politicians to unite and move the region forward.

The President’s remarks prompted the local politicians to swing into action and convene a meeting to iron out their differences.

During his tour last week, the President met leaders from Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Laikipia, Nyeri and Kiambu between Thursday and Sunday in closed-door meetings where he condemned feuds among leaders.

Yesterday, Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, who is among the conveners of the meeting, said the forum “would be a frank and sincere meeting of Central Kenya leaders”.

Illicit Brew

The forum at Outspan Hotel will bring together senators, MPs and members of county assembly (MCAs) from Central, Nairobi, Laikipia and Nakuru. Governors, senators and MPs are expected in the meeting beginning today while MCAs would join the discussions from tomorrow evening.

Invites have already been dispatched to the leaders in what has been described “as the coming together of Central leaders to address the issues affecting the region”.

Key among the issues the leaders are expected to address is how to renew the fight against illicit liquor, which had creeped back months after the President ordered a countrywide crackdown.

“The President was unhappy when he learned that the brews that had become a menace among our people had made a major comeback. He was categorical that this must end,” an MP said yesterday.

Mr Waweru said top on the agenda will be how residents should be mobilised to register as voters during the period announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. “We will also address the issues that the President highlighted during his tour last week,” said Waweru.

The MP, who is the Central Kenya Parliamentary Group chairman, said the issue of illicit alcohol would be given priority since the region was the most affected by the brews.

“We cannot let our youth waste their lives through cheap liquor. We will declare war against these merchants of death pretending to be alcohol manufacturers,” Waweru said.

Mwea MP Peter Gitau, who confirmed receiving an invitation, said the forum would be a good platform for the leaders to audit the success of the previous illicit brew crackdown.

Mr Gitau said all local leaders felt Uhuru needed support in his efforts to eliminate the killer brews in the country. “It is also important that we meet as a region so that we are on the same page on issues development and party politics,” said Gitau.

Other issues to be discussed, according to an official of the Central Kenya MPs secretariat, is the merger of political parties in the Jubilee coalition to form one outfit to be used by Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto to seek re-election.

“Still we must consolidate our support for the President, his deputy and the Jubilee coalition ahead of next year’s election, “Waweru said.

Revive Farming

Uhuru denounced some leaders from the region whom he said had earned the dubious reputation of being involved in public spats. He particularly pointed out differences between Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu.

The President was also concerned over bickering among leaders in Murang’a, which has seen Governor Mwangi wa Iria fall out with Senator Kembi Gitura.

Also in the in-tray for the leaders is the revival of key agricultural sub-sectors in the region, which have been dwindling.

When he met leaders last week, the President promised to form a task force in the next one week to revive the coffee sector. The committee will have a month to table its report.

After that, the President is to convene a meeting with leaders to discuss the recommendations. Uhuru said if the report recommended changes in laws and setting aside funds to revive the sector, it would be done before the end of the financial year.