Newly crowned Kikuyu elders’ patron Kinyua Mwangi says with the elders now united, the drive for Mt Kenya unity is unstoppable.
Kinyua who said the unity of the two groups elders that led to his installation as patron was a major win for the community and was a step in the right direction.
He said using his office he will work hard to ensure the same unity is taken to the women and the youth – so that the region can speak in one voice.
Kinyua was installed as the patron in a colourful ceremony held at the Lusoi Ranch Resort in Nyeri on Saturday.
The event became possible after the two groups of elders – Kiama Kia Ma and Kikuyu Council of Elders (KCE) united after ending years of wrangles and mutual suspicions.
During the Saturday ceremony leaders from Mt Kenya led by Nyandarua governor Francis Kimemia said they were to see the elders united and speaking in one language.
Kimemia said with the elders now united, it will be easy to engage them on cultural and other important issues affecting the community and the country.
The event was attended by elders from other communities who included the Luo, Embu, Miji Kenda, Abagusii, Somali among others.
Addressing the gathering, Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni praised the elders for setting aside their difference to unite for the sake of the community.
Kioni revisted the issue of the gains that Mt Kenya sought to gain with BBI saying as it stands the region will lose over Sh 53billion in revenue.
He said that despite the collapse of the BBI at the courts, the problems in Mt Kenya like unequal sharing of resources and representation have not ended.
“Mt Kenya problems are still with us. We still need to find solutions to the problem of unfair sharing of national revenue and on skewed representation,” said Kioni.
Kiama Kia Ma chairman Ndungu Gaithuma said the elders will move forward as one united group and will protect the unity.
Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago called on leaders and elders alike to respect President Uhuru.
He said President Uhuru was an elder and there are established channels on how elders deal with emerging issues without resulting to insults.
