Opposition fires back at Ruku over Mt Kenya remarks.

Three opposition leaders have condemned remarks by Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku that appeared to advocate a political separation of Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, accusing him of sowing division in the region.

DCP executive director Hezron Obaga, former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici and lawyer Ndegwa Njiru defended the unity of the Mt Kenya region and dismissed attempts to split the vote-rich bloc along regional lines. 

They spoke during a burial ceremony in Kirinyaga county on Thursday.

Their remarks came days after Ruku accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies of sidelining communities from Mt Kenya East and urged the region to chart its own political path under Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

The CS argued that Mt Kenya East had for years supported the broader Mt Kenya political agenda without receiving a fair share of development benefits.

Obaga claimed the debate around Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West was part of a broader political strategy aimed at weakening the region's bargaining power ahead of the 2027 general election.

"This appears to be something that has been planned to divide the Mt Kenya region," he said.

Obaga urged residents of the wider Mt Kenya region to remain united, saying political leaders should focus on building alliances rather than creating divisions among communities that have coexisted for decades.

The DCP official said unity remains the strongest political tool available to communities in the region, arguing that efforts to isolate certain groups would only weaken their influence at the national level.

He also defended DCP's internal processes, insisting that no candidate had been handed a direct nomination and all aspirants would be subjected to free and fair party primaries.

 Ngirici also rejected calls to separate the region into political blocs, saying Mt Kenya had historically drawn strength from its diversity and unity.

"We are going to stand as Mt Kenya and vote as a bloc," she said.

Ngirici accused government allies of attempting to create unnecessary divisions among communities from Embu, Murang'a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and other counties within the larger Mt Kenya region.

She said residents should resist attempts to categorise them into rival camps, arguing that people from different counties had lived, worked and invested together for generations.

Ngirici maintained that political competition should be based on ideas and leadership rather than regional fragmentation.

She argued that Kenya needed leaders who understood the needs of ordinary citizens and were committed to addressing the economic challenges facing households across the country.

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru assured supporters that DCP would conduct transparent nominations and provide a level playing field for all aspirants seeking elective seats through the party.

"The United Opposition is ready to present one candidate against William Ruto in 2027," he said.

Njiru revealed that opposition leaders, including Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang'i, Eugene Wamalwa and Justin Muturi, were working together under a common political agenda aimed at unseating President Ruto in next year's election.

He said discussions within the opposition coalition were progressing well and expressed confidence that the alliance would eventually settle on a single presidential candidate.

The leaders' remarks add to an increasingly heated political debate over the future direction of the Mt Kenya region, which remains one of the country's most influential voting blocs.

Ruku has in recent months repeatedly argued that Mt Kenya East should pursue an independent political identity and rally behind Deputy President Kindiki.

He has accused some leaders from Mt Kenya West of using the eastern region as a political stepping stone before abandoning it after securing power.

The CS has also maintained that development projects undertaken in Mt Kenya West should not automatically be presented as benefits enjoyed by the entire region.

His position has attracted criticism from opposition leaders allied to Gachagua, who argue that any attempt to divide the region risks weakening its collective voice and reducing its influence in national politics.