Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga during an interview at his home in Kajiado County on January 11, 2025.
Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga has never cut a definite political cloth, often playing a wildcard role in successive election periods.
Nearly 20 years after announcing that he had cut ties with the outlawed group that killed dozens, Njenga has revealed that he will try his hand in elective politics, with the first foe in his new chapter shaping up to be former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
He has struggled to shake off the stink of the Mungiki ties, as it always comes up in media interviews and analysis of his political activities.
Njenga insists that the group died long ago, and that he is solely focused on sealing the cracks that have emerged in the Mt Kenya region on account of recent political events, particularly Gachagua’s impeachment.
In an exclusive interview with the Nation at his Kitengela home on Saturday, Njenga spoke of some of the issues that have been raised by the leaders— including the possibility that he (Njenga) was doing the hatchet job for President William Ruto who is facing a revolt from the region.
Njenga told the Nation that he is not doing the bidding for Dr Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election, insisting that his mission is to ensure that the Mt Kenya region continues to fill several vacancies in influential government offices.
He also denied claims that he had been receiving funding and support from the government in an attempt to undermine and weaken Mr Gachagua in his home region.
State protection
“Whoever is saying that I have State protection should know better. I don’t need any support from anyone to do what I need to do as long as it’s not criminal,” Mr Njenga said.
“I’m not Ruto’s project in Mt Kenya,” he added, insisting that he has not been in touch with the President since the Kenya Kwanza administration took over the reins of power.
“You know very well whom I was supporting during the last elections. (Mr) Raila Odinga, who was my candidate, lost. We accepted defeat and moved on.”
He insisted that his recent visits to the Mt Kenya region were not supported by politicians and that he has only decided to use his influence in the region to bring the people into government.
Mr Njenga insisted he was a man of means, capable of financing his own political activity.
“After the exit of Gachagua from government, does it mean that the people of this region lost favour with the government? Gachagua is just one man among the many residents of Mt Kenya. Mt Kenya is our home. Our business and interests are here. Why should I not visit the region where I was born?” he posed.
“I have decided to make sure that people from this region do not lose focus and that their interests are still being looked into by the government,” he said.
He revealed that he did not have any personal differences with Mr Gachagua but holds a different political opinion.
He, however, accused the former deputy president of inciting the public against him.
Without naming individuals, Mr Njenga said he had been in consultation with several high-profile political leaders from the Mt Kenya region, who had tasked him with making sure that the region remains in government.
“I don’t need any position in government to do this. I just need to call a meeting and the people will come and listen to my message,” Njenga said.
Active political player
Mr Njenga said he would contest for election in 2027, but added that he has not yet decided on the seat. After much prodding, he said he could contest for governor or senator in his home county, Laikipia.
“When the time comes, I will make my stand known. I remain an active political player in this country,” he said.
The visits to different corners of the mountain will continue, the former Mungiki leader added, insisting that his push would help the region maintain significant occupancy of government positions.
“I will continue visiting Mt Kenya region until I am satisfied that the region is firmly in government,” he said.
Asked about his position on the claims by some leaders that the dreaded Mungiki sect was making a comeback in the region, the former sect-leader-turned-preacher said he was also keen not to see a repeat of the crackdown on suspected Mungiki members in the region.
“I don’t want to see a repeat of the crackdown of youths in Mt Kenya. My followers are not Mungiki but law-abiding citizens,” he said.
In his speech during the Kabiruini prayer meeting, Mr Njenga called on residents of the region to support President Ruto and other elected leaders in grassroots development efforts.
“The region remains united with the government,” he stated. “Contrary to rumours of mass defections, only one individual has parted ways with Kenya Kwanza,” he added.
