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Nairobi, Kenya – September 21 saw Deputy President Kithure Kindiki commit to addressing the call from Mt Kenya elders to unite the region, promising to work with leaders and communities in a reconciliation drive ahead of the 2027 General Election. Kindiki emphasized that political differences among leaders should not translate into conflict within communities that share historical, cultural, and economic bonds.

The Deputy President accepted the role entrusted to him by the Kirigiti Stadium gathering which saw representatives of the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Mbeere communities endorse him as the region's spokesperson, calling for an end to political divisions.

The Deputy President stated that he would honor the elders' directions, underscoring the pivotal role elders play in preserving community unity, as they are not vying for political positions. He argued that politicians, competing for electoral seats, often cause division within communities. Kindiki urged leaders to respect differing political views while preventing disagreements from turning into hostility among residents.

His remarks reflect an early attempt to convert the Kirigiti endorsement into a comprehensive region-wide political and reconciliation campaign.

The elders at Kirigiti Stadium pledged their commitment to maintaining unity among the Agikuyu, Ameru, Aembu, and Ambeere communities, assigning Kindiki the responsibility of representing the region's interests and aspirations. They firmly rejected any attempts to partition Mt Kenya into distinct political blocs and called for communities to adopt a unified voice on issues affecting the entire region.

Kindiki has since extended his unity message to Mt Kenya East, blending political engagement with assessments of government projects. He recently inspected the Mukothima-Gaciongo-Gatunga Road construction in Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County, before engaging residents at Gaciongo and Matiri markets.

This initiative to foster unity arises as political activities intensify in Mt Kenya, with competing factions striving to influence the region’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. The push for unity also stems from recent movements promoting a separate Mt Kenya East identity. At Kirigiti, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku ceremonially returned an axe symbolizing efforts to unite the region, replacing it with a flywhisk given by the elders.

Kindiki has consistently opposed the creation of an East-West political rift, arguing that the communities possess enduring ties and shared interests. The elders have also implored the region to create a politically stable environment for President William Ruto and Kindiki, advocating for peaceful political discourse in the lead-up to the upcoming General Election.