Kirinyaga elders reject attempts to split Mt Kenya into East, West blocs

Elders from Kirinyaga County have strongly opposed proposals to divide the Mt Kenya region into East and West political factions, arguing that such actions would create unnecessary divisions for personal political gain. A faction of Kirinyaga elders, affiliated with the Kiama Kia Ma Council, rebuked a recent meeting by another group of elders from the Njuri Ncheke Supreme Council, Nyaangi Ndiriri, Kiama Kia Muembu, Ngome and Mwea Council of Elders, which reportedly supported the separation.

The Kirinyaga elders emphasized that the county is firmly united behind the idea of a unified Mt. Kenya region and should not be exploited to fuel separation debates by certain leaders from the Mt. Kenya area. Chief Elder Muriithi Warutere expressed frustration over leaders making political claims on behalf of Kirinyaga residents without their consent.

He warned that such actions undermine the legitimacy of elected representatives and asserted that Kirinyaga residents have a voice that must not be silenced. John Gathungu, another Kirinyaga elder, clarified that political declarations could not alter the region's identity or dictate who should speak for its people. He firmly rejected the idea of separating Mt Kenya into East and West blocs, noting that the region's communities have historically collaborated under the GEMA umbrella.

The elders stressed that political decisions pertaining to Kirinyaga should be made by locally elected officials, not by individuals lacking a mandate to represent the community. While elders acknowledged positive relations with neighboring Embu and Mbeere regions, they emphasized that these ties should not be leveraged to politically redefine Kirinyaga or set its future political direction.