All roads lead to Nyeri town today where Party of National Unity (PNU) hosts a series a special interest caucuses with ODM leader Raila Odinga ahead of Nyeri edition of Azimio La Umoja Rally on Saturday.
The events are the climax of intense efforts by the opposition chief to cultivate the Mountain region in the last few months where PNU has conspicuously played the official chaperon of honor.
ODM chief Raila Odinga has aggressively made inroads to the Mount Kenya region will attend the event that will bring together cultural leaders from Kikuyu and Luo community.
Odinga has been holding meetings with region leaders with a plan of succeeding president Uhuru Kenyatta.
Two months ago. Mt Kenya tycoons expressed their leaning towards Raila even as they declared the beginning of a grand search for President Uhuru Kenyatta's successor.
PNU leader, Nderitu Muriithi was the first governor to host Mr Odinga in Nanyuki for three days in August,before taking him on a road show from Nanyuki through Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a and Kiambu riding on the governor's offical car that culminated in a rally at Githurai.
PNU was also main host of Raila tour around the mountain through Nanyuki,Isiolo,Meru and Embu ahead of Mashujaa day in Kirinyaga last month.
Friday pre-AzimionLa Umoja events begins with Raila meeting with Kikuyu Council of Elders and Luo council of Elders at Kabiruini ASK grounds, followed with Youth and women caucus in the afternoon in Nyeri town ,before a a Business and Professionals dinner at the Nyeri Golf Club.
Sources organising the cultural cum political meeting told the Star the region will use the opportunity to declare a ‘Raila Tosha’ to reciprocate the ODM boss’ historic endorsement of retired President Mwai Kibaki who hails from the area.
The Star understands that top Mount Kenya governors among them Governors Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Nderitu Mureithi (Laikipia), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) and Kiambu’s James Nyoro, nominated MP Maina Kamanda, MP Kanini Kega and Mt Kenya foundation members are behind the endorsement event on Saturday.
Others include former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Denis Waweru as well as Nyeri town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu who is a close ally to both Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking to Star on Wednesday, Kikuyu council of elder’s national chairman Wachira Kiago told Kenyans to expect a major announcement that will strengthen the bond between the Kikuyu and Luo communities.
He said that the Saturday meeting is a cultural event and guests started streaming as from Thursday ahead of the main event on Saturday.
According to Kiago, the visit is a continuation of the engagement the regional elders had with their counterpart in Nyanza.
In October 2020, about 500 Kikuyu Council of Elders and senior Mt Kenya politicians led by former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth visited their Luo counterparts at Raila’s Bondo home.
“It’s true, we will have a mega event at Kabiru-ini and we have invited all our leaders from Mount Kenya region, we will discuss politics and unity of the Country,” Wachira said.
He revealed that Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga will be the host of the event.
Of all the 10 Central governors, only Kahiga is yet to identify with a presidential aspirant ahead of the next year’s polls.
Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, recently told the Star that, the Nyeri event will cause tremors among handshake critics.
“This will be the day that Central Kenya will speak loud and clear about their 2022 political path,” Ngunjiri told the Star.
Former Kiambu governor William Kabogo who is Tujibebe Wakenya Party leader also told the Star that, every leader has a democratic right to assemble in every part of the Country.
The ex Governor said that Kenyans will be witnessing more rallies as politician camps to seek votes ahead of the 2022 general election.
He told Kenyans who would attend the event should be peaceful and hospitable to everyone.
“There is nothing wrong with politicians visiting Mount Kenya region, the final say still belong to Wanjiku and he will decide on whom to vote for or not, “Kabogo said.
Also expected to feature during the visit is Laikipia County's groundbreaking Infrastructure Bond that was approved by the IBEC on Tuesday.
The move is billed as precedent setting innovations in strengthening and deepening service delivery under devolved system of government.
Wachira further said that all Mount Kenya leaders have been invited and their representatives will be accorded a chance to address the people who will have attended.
Speaking to the Star, Kiambu MP Jude Njomo revealed that he has been invited to attend the event but won’t make due to prior engagements.
He told the region to welcome the former PM and express maturity and respect to all the leaders who will be in attendance.
Njomo further said that the process of revamping the Jubilee party is still ongoing.
“There are those moving around claiming that Jubilee Party is dead, it’s a lie as we are revamping it ahead of the 2022 election, “he said.
He urged Mt Kenya leaders to speak in one voice and unite the community. Ends…
