Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki suffered a blow after a meeting for all Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) from Mt Kenya region called to endorse him ended in diassarry.
Instead a section of the MCAs drawn from Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Kiambu endorsed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua while those from Nyeri boycotted the meeting.
Only one MCA from Nyeri attended the meeting called at the Nokras Hotel in Murang’a County.
In a move that underscores growing discontent among local leaders, MCAs from Mt. Kenya, including Nakuru County, rejected a bid to endorse CS Kindiki as their political link to the national government.
The MCAs, expressed dissatisfaction with what they termed “political gimmicks” and declared unwavering support for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The MCAs, from both Mt. Kenya East and West, noted that their primary concerns such as salary increments, sitting allowances, and other welfare issues should be the focus of discussions, not political maneuvers.
They told the organizers of the endorsement bid to steer clear of DP Gachagua, asserting he has the people’s support.
Speaking after the Muranga gathering, the MCAs emphasized that they have been listening to the people on the ground.
They reiterated that the majority of Mt. Kenya residents back Gachagua, warning that defying this public sentiment could cost them their seats in the 2027 elections.
“Our loyalty is with the people, and the people stand with Gachagua. We cannot afford to gamble with our political futures,” one MCA said.
Adding to their frustrations, the MCAs criticized President William Ruto for pressuring them to endorse Kindiki, despite failing to fulfill promises made during the 8th Devolution Conference in Eldoret.
According to them, President Ruto had pledged to close the wage gap between MCAs and MPs and assured that the SRC would review their wages to better reflect their responsibilities. None of these promises have materialized.
For the MCAs, these broken promises justify their refusal to back any political move that does not address their immediate concerns.
Loyalty to Gachagua, they argue, reflects the will of the people, and they see no reason to endorse anyone else when their fundamental issues remain ignored. As one MCA concluded, “We need real results, not endorsements for candidates who don’t have the people’s backing.”
