National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi on Wednesday, May 19, resurfaced a day after fellow parliamentarians raised concerns of his whereabouts.
Speaking to the media from his home, Muturi confirmed participating in the cultural ritual that saw him remain in seclusion for eight days.
He added that he was ready to take over the mantle as the next Mt Kenya spokesman after President Uhuru Kenyatta's retirement in 2022.
"It has been a great moment for self-reflection and also to consider the issues that affect our region," he stated.
Muturi had been undergoing a cleansing process. During this time, he was only allowed to see a few elders who have undergone cleansing and ate a special diet.
"There will be all forms of opinions but the idea is to be able to reach out to everybody through persuasion, consultation and discussion," he added.
Mt Kenya elders who were taking Muturi through the process indicated that by Friday, they would have gauged whether the speaker was ready to take up the mantle or not.
"We are still watching...In order to get a leader who is going to withstand the challenges in the future, you need to get someone who can withstand 10 days or more of ritual purity," Prof Peter Kagwanja, one of the elders, stated.
If Muturi passes the test, he will be coronated as the Mt Kenya spokesman on Saturday at the Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine.
The move has elicited fierce reactions especially from Murang'a governor Mwangi wa Iria who banned any political activities at the shrine.
Mwangi stated that the shrine was protected and not a place where leaders take their 'sideshows'.
“The shrine is under our custody and we shall ensure it is protected and nobody will be allowed in because are not going to let it be turned into a political stadium," he stated.
In March, Muturi was enthroned as the Mt Kenya East spokesman. He will speak for the Meru, Embu and Mbeere communities.
He was coronated by the Meru's Njuri Ncheke elders in their shrine in Nchiru, Meru County.
