Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru threw Mt Kenya succession politics into a spin after she hosted Meru’s Njuri-Ncheke elders barely two weeks after hosting Kirinyaga Council of elders.
Though clothed as a cultural exchange the political symbolism of attending an event with the respected Njuri-Ncheke elders left political observers pondering the meaning of her recent dalliance with elders.
In her message, Waiguru who was adorned with traditional regalia – said she was honor to grace the occasion as host governor.
She said such programs enhance the values of our traditions by embracing progressive cultures and doing away with un-progressive practices such as female genital mutilation, gender based violence and others.
“Kirinyaga council of elders today hosted their counterparts Njuri-Ncheke council of elders at a cultural exchange luncheon in Kirinyaga. I was honored to grace the occasion as host governor. Such programs enhance the values of our traditions by embracing progressive cultures and doing away with un-progressive practices such as FGM, GBV and others,’’ said.
Elders play a significant role is shaping politics at the local level and their endorsement or blessings is seen as a major boost to a politician’s ambitions.
It is for this reason that politicians fall over each other to get the ear of elders and for Waiguru to venture outside of her Kirinyaga County to Meru is seen as move to position herself to place a bigger role in the Mt Kenya politics that are heating up daily.
The chairman of Kirinyaga Council of Elders Rev Kithaka said the meeting was discussing among other issues the installation of Speaker Justin Muturi as the spokesperson for Mt Kenya East and how Mt Kenya region would benefit in a future government.
Rev Githaka said the installation of Muturi as a spokesman for Mt Kenya East was likely to further divide the Mt Kenya region which is against the interest of the region.
He said elders favour a situation where there is only one spokesman for Mt Kenya and not each section to have spokesman. He said he would invite elders from all other counties in Mt Kenya to find the way forward regarding that issue with the aim of fostering unity.
