Uhuru calls off State House meeting with Mt Kenya leaders

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called off the consultative meeting with Mt Kenya region leaders that was scheduled for Friday at State House, Nairobi.

Through messages sent to the leaders on Thursday, Uhuru said the meeting was called off after consultations.

"I have deferred the meeting that was scheduled for Friday at State House Nairobi, with MPs, Senators and Governors from the Mt Kenya region to a later date, which will be communicated to you in due course," the message read.

Mt Kenya leader who sought anonymity confirmed the meeting had been set.

"There is a meeting tomorrow at State House to plan those things I have told you," he told the Star.

The President sought to use the meeting to take stock of his administration's interventions in the region and the way forward ahead of the August 9 election.

Uhuru has declared support for ODM leader Raila Odinga and was expected to use the meeting to rally support for his cause.

Earlier, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria told off Uhuru over his expected meeting with Mt Kenya leaders.

Kuria said Mt Kenya leadership has been waiting for a meeting with the president for the past four years.

"Mt Kenya leaders have been waiting for a proper sit down for four years," he said.

He noted that Uhuru calling them after declaring support for Odinga is contempt.

The MP called on the President to respect leaders from the region.

"To call them 143 days before the election and when you have already declared yourself the campaign manager for Kitendawili is contemptuous. With the utmost respect and deep regret, just let us be," Kuria said.

His remarks come ahead of an expected meeting between Uhuru and leaders from the Mt Kenya region on Friday.

Edited by M. Asamba