National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has defended his coronation as the Mt Kenya spokesperson describing it as a unifying factor for the region – as the controversy raged on.
Muturi said his installation was meant to unite Mt Kenya region so that their big numbers can count, come the next general elections.
He was speaking during the burial of Phares Ruteere the chairman of National Council of Elders and long serving Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders in Meru County on Saturday.
His comments come a day after another group of elders announced they had conducted a “cleansing” ceremony of the shrine and revoked Muturi’s coronation.
The group led by Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago and Kiama Kia Ma chairman Ndungu Gaithuma held prayers at the Mumbi grounds in Murang’a County in an event attended by local governor Mwangi Wa Iria.
But in a swift rejoinder the patron of the elders Capt (Rtd.) Kungu Muigai dismissed the Friday event as of no consequence.
He said the installation of Muturi was final and the “noise” by elders was akin to “the eyes of frogs that could not stop cows from watering.”
Kungu who had accompanied Muturi to the Ruteere burial said Muturi was at the perfect position to unite the mountain and preach peace.
Muturi was installed as the Mt Kenya spokesperson at an elaborate cultural event at the holy Agikuyu shrine at Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga two weeks ago. The issue sharply divided the elders from Central Kenya with some supporting and others denouncing it.