Some Mt Kenya clerics have urged residents to support presidential aspirants from the region.
The clergy said presidential candidates from the region know better the region’s issues and will best address them should one of them rise to the top seat.
Some of the leaders from the region who have declared their interest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta include National Assembly Speaker Justine Muturi and Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wairia.
Muturi is giving a shot for the top seat on a Democratic Party ticket while Wa Iria is vying on his Usawa Kwa Wote party ticket.
Other leaders from the region who are interested in the seat include ex-Cabinet minister Joe Nyaga’s son Jeremiah Mwaniki Nyaga. The 44-year-old is expected to declare his bid next week.
Others are former Presbyterian Church of Eastern Africa moderator Dr David Githii and Bishop Zablon Karanja of Bibilical Pentecostal Apostolic Church in Kiambu. Karanja is an ex-GSU officer.
The clergymen of the Akorino sect, from five Central Kenya counties including Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Nyandarua, who spoke after a prayers meeting in Thika, told residents to back either of the candidates.
Led by Bishop Johanna Ndirangu, the clergy said Mt Kenya's economic stability and prosperity will be prioritised once a leader from the area rises to the top office, adding that coffee, milk, tea, avocado and macadamia farming concerns will be addressed by a leader from the region.
“We have seen presidential aspirants campaigning in our region and they are much welcome to sell their agenda to us. We are however yet to see those seeking the top seat from our region holding such rallies. This might be because of lack of enough support. This is why we are urging residents to support their quest for the presidency. We stand to gain a lot as a region if we have a president from this region,” Ndirangu said.
He said the region’s leaders will have a strong bargaining power, for the region’s interests, once they secure support from residents.
The clergy however called on the presidential aspirants from the region to consider forming an alliance and join forces for them to have a better chance to beat the two front-runners in the race Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Ruto is running on the UDA ticket under the Kenya Kwanza wing while Raila is vying on an Azimio la Umoja ticket.
“The leaders must come together and form a united front for them to competitively challenge other aspirants,” Bishop Ndirangu said.
Bishop Jeremiah Muchene told the leaders to consider giving a chance to young blood.
“We have young leaders who have proved that they can fit in the shoes of renowned Mt Kenya politicians like the likes of Kenneth Matiba, Joe Nyaga and John Michuki among others. For a better tomorrow we have to properly groom these leaders who will be in the forefront in agitating for better policies and prices of our coffee, tea, milk, avocado and macadamia,” the Bishop said.
The clerics however called on all politicians to maintain peace and ensure they don’t ignite political apprehension in the country ahead of the August 9 general election.
-Edited by SKanyara
