Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire have revived the political rivalry between Mt Kenya West and East.
The two politicians at the weekend suggested plans to have the region chart its own political path away from the dominant Mt Kenya West, a move that could hurt some of the main political players in the 2027 polls.
Politicians in Mt Kenya East—made up of Meru, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties—have always complained over the political dominance of their counterparts in Mt Kenya West—Laikipia, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and Nakuru counties.
Mt Kenya East and West have in the past largely voted as a unit, handing them the numerical strength crucial for political negotiation.
The renewed political rivalry is linked to the supremacy battle between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua. Prof Kindiki hails from Mt Kenya East (Tharaka-Nithi) while Mr Gachagua is from West (Nyeri). Politicians from the two regions are jostling for positions of influence in President William Ruto’s administration.
Economic interests
“Mt Kenya East must stand firm and protect its own political and economic interests. We will divide the Mountain if we must. Mt Kenya East will stand alone,” Mr Ruku said on Sunday.
Ms Mbarire, speaking at the same event, said: “I want to echo the words of CS Ruku. If need be, as Mt Kenya East, we shall chart our own political path moving forward. We will not be dragged into politics that do not serve our people.”
Public Service, human capital development and special programmes, Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku and Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua(inset).
For successive elections, politicians from the East have appeared to play second fiddle as those in the West call the shots and enjoy the largesse. Politicians in the East have always complained of being abandoned after every election.
In the lead-up to the 2022 presidential election, Mr Gachagua upstaged the favourite for running mate, Prof Kindiki, after confrontational talks that nearly degenerated into scuffles as the factions dug in.
The politics of East versus West was a major issue during the tenure of former President Mwai Kibaki, who is said to have faced a lot of flak from the political and business elite from the West when he appointed leaders from the East into his government. Mr Francis Muthaura, from Meru, was the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet for nearly the entire Kibaki term.
International Criminal Court
When the International Criminal Court confirmed that Mr Muthaura had a case to answer in January 2012 and he stepped down, he was replaced by Mr Francis Kimemia from Nyandarua.
Mr Kiraitu Murungi and the late David Mwiraria, also from Meru, held pride of place in Kibaki's government, initially as ministers of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Finance, respectively. They were eventually suspended and returned towards the end of Kibaki's first term—Mr Murungi as Energy minister and Mr Mwiraria in Environment.
They were replaced in their previous dockets by Ms Martha Karua (Justice and Constitutional Affairs) from Kirinyaga and Mr Amos Kimunya (Nyandarua) and later Mr Uhuru Kenyatta (from Kiambu) at Treasury.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (right) with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
President Ruto somehow tried to have equal representation from the two regions. Each of the east counties has representatives in Cabinet, among principal secretaries and other key positions in government. Other than Prof Kindiki and Mr Ruku, there is Mr Eric Muuga (Meru) is in charge of the Water and Sanitation docket.
From Mt Kenya West, Dr Ruto named Mr Mutahi Kagwe (Nyeri) his Agriculture CS, Mr William Kabogo (Kiambu) ICT CS, Mr Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) Investment, Trade and Industry CS and Ms Alice Wahome (Murang’a) Lands CS.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
