Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addressing a rally at Embu. Photo by Dennis Dibondo. 
By Dennis Dibondo
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged to spearhead reconciliation and unity among Mt Kenya communities after elders urged him to help rebuild a common political voice ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Prof Kindiki said political differences should not be allowed to divide communities that share a common history, cultural ties, interests and aspirations.
He said the Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Mbeere communities had more that united them than separated them, and that he had taken seriously the elders’ call for him to lead efforts to foster unity across the region.
“I have heard you and I will do so as directed,” Prof Kindiki said, signalling the beginning of what is expected to be a sustained reconciliation and unity drive in Mt Kenya East and West.
The Deputy President spoke days after Mt Kenya elders gathered at Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County, where they identified him as a unifying figure and called on the region’s communities to remain politically cohesive as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
The elders also expressed support for President William Ruto’s administration, giving Prof Kindiki a platform to rally the region behind the Government as political activity intensifies.
Prof Kindiki said leaders should respect political differences but cautioned against allowing divergent political views to evolve into divisions that weaken the region.
He has repeatedly opposed attempts to split Mt Kenya along East-West lines, arguing that the communities have deep historical, cultural and economic connections that should transcend political differences.
His latest appeal comes at a time when rival political groups are intensifying efforts to influence the political direction of the region ahead of the 2027 elections.
Prof Kindiki has already begun linking the unity message with development engagements across Mt Kenya East.
Among his first major engagements after the Kirigiti meeting was an inspection of works on the Mukothima-Gaciongo-Gatunga Road in Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County.
He later addressed residents at Gaciongo Market during a public sensitisation exercise, using the engagements to emphasise the link between political unity and the Government’s development agenda.
The Deputy President has increasingly positioned roads, infrastructure and delivery of Government programmes as key elements of his outreach, arguing that political leadership should ultimately translate into improved livelihoods for citizens.
At Kirigiti, the elders called on Mt Kenya communities to maintain a common voice on issues affecting the region and cautioned against efforts to create separate political blocs.
Prof Kindiki now faces the task of translating the elders’ declaration into a broader reconciliation campaign while engaging leaders and communities across Mt Kenya to set aside personal political differences.
He is also expected to intensify his appeal for the region to remain united and support President Ruto as political mobilisation gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election.
