Former Kiambu Governor, William Kabogo, now claims that the Mt Kenya region is the poorest in the country despite producing three Presidents who have ruled the country for nearly 32 years.
The three include Kenya’s first Head of State Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the third President Mwai Kibaki and his successor and the incumbent, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta.
Speaking during an interview on NTV, on Monday, December 6, Kabogo lamented that residents were languishing in poverty, struggling to put bread on the table, and high levels of illiteracy and unemployment.
He argued that the region’s issues necessitated key politicians to join hands to consolidate votes and have bargaining power when meeting presidential aspirants.
“We are representing the Mt Kenya residents, all people and not the Agikuyu Community alone. How can we discuss our issues for the betterment of our people? When shall we decide that revenue should be allocated to counties in terms of population?
“That’s why we are asking Mt Kenya people to pause and rethink their choices ahead of the 2022 General Election. They should analyse who among the top aspirants represents our interests,” Kabogo argued.
Kabogo alleged that some aspirants were open to discussions while others were strong-headed and unwilling to listen to their demands.
He further castigated Deputy President Willam Ruto for asking Mt Kenya politicians to join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) after disbanding other parties.
“There are some who wedded us (Jubilee 2013/2017) and we shared power. However, they are rejecting our proposals and labelling our parties as tribal. I started my own party, Tujibebe Wakenya Party, for Kenyans and not the Agikuyu.
“Nonetheless, someone else is analysing us from a tribal perspective,” Kabogo complained.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Turkana County is the poorest in the country with a poverty rate of 79.4 per cent. Mandera, Samburu, Busia and Garissa counties also form the list of the poorest counties with poverty rates of 77.6, 75.8, 69.3 and 65.5 per cent respectively as of July 2021.
Other poorest counties include Marsabit, Wajir, Tana River, West Pokot and Isiolo with poverty rates of 63.7,62.6, 62.2, 57.4 and 51.9 per cent respectively.
Nairobi has the lowest poverty rate of 16.8 per cent, Nyeri and Meru follow with 19 per cent. Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties have 22 and 23 per cent respectively. Narok and Machakos counties have poverty rates of 23 percent while Murangá, Tharaka-Nithi, and Mombasa close the top ten list of the richest counties with 25,24, and 27 percent.
Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Tharaka-Nithi and Murang’a Counties are in the Mt Kenya region.
