The Endorsement Comes Days After Several Other Forums Including Ten-Ten Group Foundation and Kikuyu Council Of Elders Adopted The Same Position
BY DPCS and Our Correspondents
Worth Noting:
- In his remarks, the Deputy President said that since it was not an electioneering period, the country should be united, promising to consolidate the region for purposes of its growth and development.
- “President William Ruto and I want all Kenyans to be one team, one people for the development of this country since the elections are over. In this region, during the last elections, we were divided to a certain extent because 87 per cent voted for President Ruto and 13 per cent voted the other way. The elections are over and I have on record invited those who did not support us to come and work together for our region and country because there is no enmity or quarrel. Election is like a sport and should be taken beyond there,” said the Deputy President.
Mt Kenya region opinion shapers and over 50 elected leaders have backed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s unity bid to strengthen the Ruto Administration.
During closure of the Mt Kenya Golf Festival tournament held at the Nyeri Golf Club in Nyeri town on Saturday evening, the business community, professionals and political leaders from the region rallied behind Gachagua and promised to work with him and the Kenya Kwanza administration for the economic growth and development of the region.
Among the attendants of the golf festival, which was the first since President William Ruto and Mr Gachagua rose to power, were members of the Jubilee Party that is affiliated to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“We are delighted by your presence in this forum. We urge you to follow the footsteps of former President Mwai Kibaki, make the golf tournament an annual event. Kibaki was the patron of the club and played golf for 40 years. Continue with his legacy because you are our leader,” said Nyeri Town MP Maina Mathenge and Trade and Investments expert Dan Wamahiu.
They said it was time to forge a united front in the pursuit of the interests of the region and supporting President Ruto’s government.
“We are coming together as Mt Kenya leaders behind the Deputy President to address our political and economic interests such as unemployment,” Jubilee Party Acting Secretary-General and EALA MP Kanini Kega said.
In his remarks, the Deputy President said that since it was not an electioneering period, the country should be united, promising to consolidate the region for purposes of its growth and development.
“President William Ruto and I want all Kenyans to be one team, one people for the development of this country since the elections are over. In this region, during the last elections, we were divided to a certain extent because 87 per cent voted for President Ruto and 13 per cent voted the other way. The elections are over and I have on record invited those who did not support us to come and work together for our region and country because there is no enmity or quarrel. Election is like a sport and should be taken beyond there,” said the Deputy President.
He was accompanied by professionals, business people and political leaders from the 10 counties in Mt Kenya region led by Governors Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Joshua Irungu (Laikipia), Dr Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a), Nyeri Deputy Governor David Kinaniri and Senators Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), Kamau Murango (Kirinyaga), John Methu (Nyandarua), John Kinyua (Laikipia) Tabitha Karanja (Nakuru) as well as Veronica Maina who is a nominated senator.
Over 50 MPs from the region who joined the DP for the event pledged their loyalty to the President and his deputy saying the region was desirous of development and unity.
The MPs included Sabina Chege (Jubilee Party Leader and nominated MP), Maina Mathenge, John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Mejja Donk Gathiru (Embakasi Central) Peter Kihungi (Kangema), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) Njuguna Kawanjiku (Kiambaa), Kamande Mwafrika (Roysambu), Mary Wamaua (Maragua), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Mary Maingi (Mwea), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Wachira Karani (Laikipia West), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North) and Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central).
Others present were: Michael Muchira (Ol Jorok), David Kiaraho (Ol Kalou), George Gachagua (Ndaragwa), Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop), Engineer John Kiragu (Limuru), Simon Kinga’ra (Ruiru), Mburu Kahangara (Lari), David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), Teresiah Wanjiru (Nominated), Kirima Nguchine (Imenti Central), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South) and Daniel Karitho (Igembe Central). Maina Karobia, a member of East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) together with former MPs Gichuki Mugambi (Othaya) and Wambugu Ngunjiri (Nyeri Town) and businessmen Wachira Maina Keen and Peter Kanyago (former KTDA chairperson) were also present.
Also not left behind were Woman Representatives: Rahab Mukami (Nyeri), Jane Kagiri (Laikipia), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua), Njeri Maina alias Gaceri (Kirinyaga), Betty Njeri (Murang’a), Ann Wamuratha (Kiambu), Susan Ngugi (Tharaka Nithi)
Other notables leaders and professionals present were Kenya’s nominee ambassador to India Economist Peter Munyiri
Former, University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof Kiama Gitahi, Wachira Maina Keen, Peter Kanyago (former KTDA chairperson) and Linus Gitahi.
This team also included New KCC Board Chairperson Maina Kamiru, as well as Principal Secretaries Alex Wachira (Energy), Ann Wangombe (Gender), Patrick Kilemi (Cooperatives), Salome Wairimu (Prisons) and Patrick Mariru (Defence).
Several groups have in the recent past rallied behind the Deputy President, supporting his call for unity, crowning him as the regional kingpin and commending him for lobbying for the appointment of locals in various government positions.
On Wednesday last week, a group of political and religious leaders as well professionals met at Senior Chief Wambugu Palace near Nyeri town where they announced the establishment of Ten-Ten Group Foundation which they said will be championing for the interest of the region’s welfare.
Led by lawyer Gacheru Wabandi and Dr John Kinyua, they said new caucus was out to among other things ensure the region got its fair share as well ensure President Ruto and his Deputy served 10 years each as the Heads of State.
At the same week, the Kikuyu Council of Elders, through its National Chairperson Wachira Kiago, welcomed and endorsed the Deputy President’s bid to unite the region and to reach out to all leaders irrespective of their political affiliation.
The Akorino Church also endorsed the Deputy President as the regional political kingpin asking him to chart the region’s political destiny.
In his remarks at the golf tournament, the Deputy President requested the business community to work together with the government and pursue a unity of purpose.
“Let us work together and pursue a unity of purpose, assist each other and build our country. None of us has an interest in what happened during that time (election campaigns). I am asking people of this region with a lot of humility to rally behind the President and assist him in the development programs, ” said Gachagua.
About the event, he said, “A time has come for us to come together and interact with businessmen and professionals and get ideas on how to make this country better”.
On the economic status of the country, the Deputy President told the country’s business community to be patient with the government as they work on improving the economy.
“By the time we took over the government we found a Sh9.8 trillion debt owed. It was no longer possible to continue borrowing. It was not sustainable to continue subsidizing fuel and unga. We found the fuel subsidy program had a debt of Sh140 billion but we have managed to pay Sh120 billion. That was not going to be an option because it was not sustainable. Fuel situation is a global situation,” he added.
He also stated that allowing returning subsidies of fuel would lead to high taxations on workers and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, he said the 2 billion dollars borrowed from Eurobond by the previous administration was not well thought out because of its high interest rate.
“We are asking Kenyans to be a little patient because things are getting better every day. We have many infrastructure projects, which stopped two years before the 2022 elections, but from taxes collected contractors have returned to site,” he said.
He stated that the revenues being collected were going towards expenditure and payment of debts.
Nyeri Golf Club officials and golfers led by Vice-Chair Ceaser Thinwa and Wachira Keen thanked the DP for bringing leaders together saying through his effort, the Nyeri town based club was able to host the highest numbers of guests in recent times.