A new battlefront in the tussle for Mt Kenya's political soul has erupted with three(3) counties 'seceding' and picking Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki to be their spokesperson.

Tharaka Nithi, Meru, and Embu counties on Monday through decree of 14 elected leaders, expressed desire to be independent from Murang'a, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, Nairobi, and Nakuru, which they conceive as their colony.

This now makes the Mt Kenya region suffer spokesman crisis where initially former president Uhuru Kenyatta was tussling for the role with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The crown started having new claimants in the likes of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, former Mungiki leader Mr Maina Njenga, and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni.

Kikuyu Council of Elders Chairman Wachira Kiago on Monday dismissed the move as "effects of unwise political leadership wrangles aimed at progressing divide and rule tactics".

"The agenda behind the breakaway camp is not hard to identify... it is compartmentalising the region for easy control... just like the way you need a referendum to alter national boundaries, you need more consultations to come up with a decision to alter Mt Kenya as is known in the political space," Mr Kiago said.

He further noted that the ongoing political competition in Mt Kenya region is turning out to be bad for area people who instead of being served as per the pre-election promises, are being whirled and swirled around in "a nonsensical power play".

In a press conference on Monday, the Mt Kenya East leaders through Mbeere MP Geoffrey Ruku, said they were now banking on Prof Kindiki to be their linkman to the president William Ruto's government.

"As the legislators of Mt Kenya East, and on behalf of our people, we have unanimously agreed that the link between us and the executive is Prof Kindiki," their statement said in part.

The leaders made the decision in a parliamentary group meeting held at a hotel in Embu.

Mr Ruku added that the leaders acknowledged the need for a strong linkage with the Ruto administration.

He said they needed strong collaboration and constant dialogue so that their new political unit can secure a stronger recognition in the national politics.

They said their region has a critical role in the president's government through CSs Kindiki, Justin Muturi (Public Service), and Eric Mugaa (Water and Sanitation).

Present in the declaration were  Mpuru Abuuri (Tigania East), Elizabeth Karamu (Meru Woman Representative), Ruku (Mbeere North), John Mutunga (Tigania West), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Senator Alexander Mudigi (Embu), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), Gitonga Murugara (Tharaka), Pamela Njoki (Embu Woman Representative), and Kareke Mbiuki (Maara) as well as Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri).

In a quick rejoinder, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga who of late has assumed the role of Gachagua's troubleshooter said "that is just monkey business".

He said he suspects the new declaration to be part of the broader scheme to split the region so that it does not reach 2027 as a united front.

"All these MPs saying they want to split Mt Kenya are the very ones who voted yes for Finance Bill, 2024 against the wish of the masses," he said adding that "you need no further evidence that this is a declaration from people who don’t listen to the ground".

Mr Kiago said it is a fallacy to split the Mountain since it's political power and relevance depends on its unity. 

"What Mt Kenya East should be proposing is for consideration of Mr Kindiki to be the Kingpin of Mt Kenya region...Then the people of the Mountain can discuss who they trust between those severally proposed, who can best represent their interests," he said.

Maragua MP Mary Wamaua on Monday told us that "it is unfortunate that one of the key pillars of national security in the name of Mr Kindiki is being drawn into politics of divisions that threaten even national cohesion".

"By saying they want to follow Kindiki and  split the political power and relevance of Mt Kenya is certainly not what the people in any part of this region and I would urge them to heed what Gachagua insists about the need to listen to the ground," Ms Wamaua said.

Mr Kioni dismissed the move as inconsequential "and you certainly cannot have a CS acting as political spokesman".

"This is just another President Ruto gimmick of control where he seeks to fracture us into political disability," Mr Kioni alleged.

"We need to show this disconnect between them and their people... we must refuse this act of reducing the political power and relevance of the region and its structures," the Jubilee Party SG added.

Mr Kioni said "Mr Kenyatta will soon pronounce himself on the need to remain united for the task ahead of refusing a national leadership so bankrupt on uniting people and can only thrive on near anarchy".

Former Bahati MP Mr Kimani Ngunjiri on Monday told us that "my 'No' movement in Mt Kenya will be vocal on this where we need to show these leaders pushing such a selfish agenda that they only intend to weaken the region's relevance ahead of 2027".

"We exactly know who seeks to benefit when Mt Kenya is weakened and we must defeat him since we know who is desperate to be reelected," Mr Ngunjiri said.

Former Kiambu governor Mr Ferdinand Waititu posed: “Are they telling us Meru/Embu are safer alone in this government rather than together with their brothers in the wider Mt Kenya?”

He wondered what is that Prof Kindiki will do for Mt Kenya East that the Deputy President cannot do as the second in command.

"Why would you exchange an elected leader for an appointee of the president? Prof Kindiki is a president Ruto appointee who represents State House interests in government. So they want Meru to be led by someone appointed by Dr Ruto rather than someone elected by the people?" Mr Waititu posed.