Kindiki: 48 MPs rally behind Interior CS as race for Mt Kenya kingpin heats up

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior Professor Abraham Kithure Kindiki has gotten a huge political boost, after over 40 Members of Parliament (MPs) rallied behind him, as various leaders outdo each other ‘in race for Mt Kenya kingpinship.’

By virtue of his position as Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua is seen as the region’s political kingpin.

However, Kindiki’s vote of confidence from the 48 legislatures points to political alignments and realignments taking shape perhaps behind the scenes, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During a meeting held in Nyahururu on Thursday, the law-makers said the former Tharaka Nithi Senator will serve as the link between them and the executive on development issues.

"We, as the elected leaders from this region and its Diaspora on our behalf and that of our people, unanimously resolve that our link to the national government be the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration Prof. Kithure Kindiki, whose responsibilities include the coordination of national government functions across country," the MPs said.

Some of the MPs backing Kindiki include Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), John Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Betty Maina (Murang’a County Women Representative), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Karen Nyamu (Nominated Senator) and Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town).

Others include Wachira Karani (Laikipia West), Jane Kagiri (Laikipia Women Representative), John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), Geoffery Wandeto (Tetu) and Joseph Gitari (Kirinyaga Central), among others.

"The Mt. Kenya Region has suffered high octane politics around fathom unity to support individual and personal ambition rather than the articulation, pursuit and lobbying of the interests of our constituents,” said the MPs.

"Our attempts to call the region to the orderly prioritisation of the developmental needs of the people have been frustrated by condescending threats of dire political consequences unless we support certain personal interests and ambitions. Yet time is of the essence given that we are already under three years to the end of the first term of this administration."

This week, elected leaders from the Mt Kenya East region endorsed Kindiki as their leader.

The leaders drawn from Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru counties said they have unanimously endorsed Kindiki as the link between them and the executive.