Politician Maina Njenga has clarified that he has not mobilized the dreaded Mungiki sect to participate in President William Ruto's ongoing tour in the Mount Kenya region.
Speaking outside the Makadara Law Courts on Wednesday, where he had appeared for a case of unlawful possession of arms, the politician clarified that he only mobilized youths to hail and welcome the president during his tours in a bid to promote unity between the president and the people of Mount Kenya.
"If the president comes to Laikipia, and we were born in Laikipia, why shouldn't we welcome him? We have to welcome him, wherever he goes, we must welcome him because he is a national leader," the politician explained.
The former Mungiki leader condemned those accusing him of mobilizing Mungiki, revealing that his main focus was to unite the people of Mount Kenya, promote peace, and support regional development.
"It is not okay to be accused; we have to ensure people are coming to the meeting to cheer the president so that all regions can have peace. The only thing we want in Mount Kenya now is development," the leader explained.
The clarification comes after mixed reactions erupted when Njenga was actively involved in mobilizing youths to attend the five-day-long tour.
On Sunday, a day before the president began his tour, Njenga met with a section of youths and mobilized them in favor of the tour.
Over 200 youth representatives reportedly gathered at Njenga's house in Ruai to plan for Ruto’s visit, with their main tasks including cheering the president at public rallies and preventing critics from engaging in anti-Ruto chants, which have characterized some of his public events.
Ruto, who is currently on the second day of his tour, has been warmly welcomed in the region, with residents turning out in large numbers to greet him.
The president's visit comes after the tiff he had with his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, which led to the latter's impeachment. Leaders allied to Gachagua had dismissed the tour as empty rhetoric.
The former DP directed Mount Kenya residents to demand heavy payments from mobilizers of the tour, arguing that the visit was politically motivated.
However, President Ruto has maintained that the purpose of his visit is to launch and inspect development projects across nine counties, including Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, and Kiambu. The projects focus on affordable housing, road infrastructure, water supply, and electricity connectivity.
The tour is set to end on April 5.
