The powerful Mt. Kenya business tycoons spoke for the first time since the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission - IEBC declared William Ruto President-elect in the just concluded general election.
The tycoons, who form the revered Mt. Kenya Foundation spoke during a reconciliatory forum as they repurpose to re-unite the divided mountain after a gruesome battle at the ballot.
According to the foundation's chairman Peter Munga, they supported Azimio leader Raila Odinga because of his aptitude to lead the country into the right direction but not due to class of war.
“There is no competition, only preference. We felt that Mr Odinga was a better candidate than his competitors, not that we were pushing for class wars or competing against our people.
“We’ve had several multi-party general elections in which Mt Kenya had several contestants. After the exercise is concluded, we’ve never come out divided since what unites is stronger than politics, and it’s no different in this particular election,” Munga stated as reported by Nation.Africa
He said the region must now unite and put aside politics maintaining that the region must never be divided over a one time event.
Munga who rallied behind Raila's bid to conquer Central Kenya is now asking people of Mt. Kenya to come together for the benefit of the community even as they await the Supreme Court ruling on the presidential election petition.
His sentiments echo Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua's who spoke on Wednesday, August 24 stating that the region has started the healing process and that soon they will be speaking in one voice.
The vocal politician has unilaterally proclaimed himself as the next kingpin of Mt. Kenya after the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“We have already started the healing process. That is the reason you saw us last Sunday visit the church in Kiambu to preach the gospel of unity. We shall start by making sure we insulate President Kenyatta against any witch-hunt. We are not treating him as an enemy,” he stated.
Besides receiving the Foundation's backing, Odinga also picked his running mate, Martha Karua in a bid to sway masses and lock out Ruto from politically climbing the Mountain.
However, from August 9 polls' outcome, these did not give Odinga the impetus he needed to counter UDA's wave the swept across the region, knocking off political kingpins and veterans.
“As the President, he ought to serve all leaders. However, he uses his proxies to speak. When these people speak, we all know the Head of State has spoken. He uses them to stay away from the limelight,” political analyst Nafula Kisiang’ani told Kenyans.coke
