Big plot to snatch Mt Kenya from Ruto

The plan could also scatter Azimio, as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has separately declared his bid for the country’s top job.

Ruto relied heavily on the vote-rich Mount Kenya — boasting over eight million votes — to vanquish former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who had solid backing from then President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In a resolution made during the Limuru III meeting on Friday, the politicians from the region vowed not to play second fiddle to anyone but to galvanise the region behind one person who will give Ruto a run for his money.

At the meeting, leaders spoke bitterly about Ruto's tax measures which they said have hit hard the region's business community. 

The meeting came at a time Parliament is considering the Finance Bill 2024, which critics say is a bitter pill for hustlers and the middle class.

The early campaigns to undo Ruto's grassroots support mirror the President's own campaign strategy when he served as Uhuru's deputy. 

The Limuru III birthed a new Mt Kenya coalition dubbed Haki Coalition.

They endorsed Uhuru as the community’s spokesperson.

The meeting was a convergence of Azimio leaders led by Martha Karua and disgruntled politicians who supported Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.

The conference also had strong representations from the region’s professionals as well as business tycoons.

Kicking off the calls for a Mt Kenya candidate was former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.

The former county boss, who was impeached for allegations of corruption, was among the region's big guns who championed Ruto’s election.

He pleaded with community to forgive him for “misleading them” in voting for Ruto.

"We should unite and have our candidate in the next election and we must fight for the interest of our people," Waititu said.

The ex-governor facing a Sh588 million corruption case said that only a candidate from the area could champion the interests of the community.

Haki Coalition is the new political platform they want to use to galvanise support.

Waititu said that he left the UDA party long time ago but hasn't joined Azimio but belongs to the people's side .

He called for the implementation of one man, one vote and one shilling resource-sharing formula. 

Karua and Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni underscored the need for unity of the region ahead of 2027.

The politicians maintained that former President Uhuru Kenyatta should continue serving as the spokesperson for the community.

Kioni said the region will continue supporting Uhuru as their leader .

He further announced that there will be another Limuru 4 that will deliberate on the way forward.

"We are fully behind Uhuru Kenyatta as the community spokesperson. If you believe Uhuru should continue being our leader , kindly stand up and raise your hand, "Kioni said .

He said that the unity of the region is paramount.

Karua appealed to local leaders as well as the electorate to speak in one voice irrespective of political affiliation.

"Going forward, the people of Mount Kenya region should unite and speak in one voice and should unite,"Karua said.

She said that failure by the people to unite would lead to disintegration of the region.

The former Justice minister warned leaders who have become the enemy of the community.

"It doesn't matter which side you are affiliated with. We need to come together and speak in one voice for the sake of unity and progress," Karua said.

The newly launched Haki Coalition, according to Karua, will be traversing all the Mt Kenya counties to debate on the way forward.

Mt Kenya's nine counties including Nakuru had a total of 5.3 million.

Kikuyu Council of Elders national chairman Wachira Kiago said that Uhuru is the official custodian of the Kikuyu community.

Kiago said that no one else has been given the lpower to lead the community.

"Uhuru Kenyatta is the bona fide custodian of the community and he should be respected," Kiago said.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba confessed that she personally sought forgiveness from the former President.

She said that Uhuru should be respected as the Kikuyu kingpin.

"I would like to talk to my elder sister Martha Karua in regards to the position of Uhuru Kenyatta as kingpin. Uhuru will only give it to anyone whom he will deem fit ," the MP said.

She said that she would not shy from representing the people of Mount Kenya region despite the intimidation she is receiving.

She dared the UDA fraternity to kick  her from the party, noting that she won't be intimidated.

"I will not be intimidated while talking about the truth. Gachagua should protect the people of the Mount Kenya region and save them from being fired from government positions, "she said.

She urged the people of Mount Kenya to unite and speak in one voice or they would perish.

Starehe MP Amos Mwago also urged the people of Mt Kenya to speak in unison if they wished to push for the region’s interest.

He said that's the position of the kingpin of the Mt Kenya region should not be in dispute.

"If anyone wants to be the kingpin of the community, he must seek the higher position of the presidency but not the deputy," he said .

Former Kiambaa MP aspirant Damaris Waiganjo said that people are tired of continued taxing by the Kenya Kwanza government.

New Democrats party leader Thuo Mathenge has petitioned Deputy President Gachagua to reach out to former President Uhuru Kenyatta for reconciliation and unity.

Mathenge said that the unity of the people of mount Kenya region is paramount.

He warned leaders of the region to embrace each other irrespective of political parties.

"I would like to urge our Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to reach out to Uhuru Kenyatta for the sake of unity, " Mathenge said.

He urged the organisers of Limuru III to continue with consultative meetings in other counties in Mt Kenya region.