Mt Kenya leaders on Friday, May 17, resolved to retain former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the region’s kingpin to chart a way forward ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The meeting dubbed Limuru III was convened in Kabuku to air out issues affecting the Mt Kenya region.
Several leaders who attended the meeting include Martha Karua (NARC-Kenya party leader), Jeremiah Kioni (Jubilee Secretary General), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri MP), Ndiritu Muriithi (former Laikipia governor), Ferdinand Waititu (former Kiambu governor) among others.
The leaders noted they would continue to recognise Uhuru Kenyatta as the Mt Kenya kingpin until such a time that the former head of state would officially step down.
During the meeting, the leaders called on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Uhuru Kenyatta to convene a meeting and unanimously agree on the region’s direction ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago stated that the region failed Uhuru by declining the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which constituted the one man one shilling one vote policy.
"He stood with the region at all times and went out of his way to ensure that we(the Mt Kenya people) were catered for. The moment he issued a direction with the BBI, we failed to back him," he stated.
"He had informed the elders to help him to popularise the BBI because if it sailed through, then the Mt Kenya region would be sorted upon his exit."
He added the region should unite regardless of political affiliation to ensure that Mt Kenya speaks in one voice on matters politics and economic development.
His sentiments were echoed by former political aspirant George Maara who clarified that the regions did not have any intention to install another kingpin.
"We only have one kingpin who is recognised by the community and that is Uhuru Kenyatta. He is our current leader in Mt Kenya and he will hand over the kingpin status whenever he deems appropriate to do so," he stated.
"This meeting has no intentions of installing a kingpin in Mt Kenya but looks to bring the people to discuss their issues and top among them the one man one vote, one shilling. We already have a leader in the region who is Uhuru Kenyatta."
Kioni, who was the meeting's moderator, revealed that the organisers did not involve Uhuru in the meeting but promised to organise another meeting that would bring all Mt Kenya leaders together.