Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki is steadily strengthening his political influence in the Mt Kenya region, with various prominent groups now backing him. 

His rise in prominence is challenging Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has long positioned himself as the region's key political figure.

The latest endorsement for Prof Kindiki comes from local ward representatives, following earlier support from Njuri Ncheke elders, and 48 Members of Parliament. 

The ward representatives have become significant players in the region’s political landscape, with divisions emerging on whether to back Prof Kindiki or DP Gachagua.

On Wednesday, around 300 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from counties including Laikipia, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Embu, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Meru, Isiolo, and Tharaka Nithi gathered to publicly support Prof Kindiki.

The community leaders believe that the CS is well-suited to drive development in their counties and act as a bridge to the national government. They stated that their decision was motivated by the interests of Mt Kenya voters.

Additionally, the MCAs said their support aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (Beta), a key framework for the current administration. They noted that CS Kindiki shares Ruto’s vision for economic growth.

“As local leaders who are in constant contact with our constituents and familiar with the challenges they face, we have decided, as a region, to unite behind Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, who has pledged to champion our development agenda and welfare,” the MCAs’ statement read in part.

The leaders also dismissed divisive political rhetoric in the region, calling it counterproductive.

Instead, they vowed to support the president’s call for national unity and ensure the completion of delayed infrastructure projects in Mountain region.

“We urge our leaders to focus on promoting development in the region, in line with the president’s efforts to fast-track stalled projects and initiate new ones, while maintaining national unity,” they added.

This endorsement comes shortly after over 2,000 Njuri Ncheke elders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi also declared their support for the Interior CS. 

The elders, who had previously aligned with Mr Gachagua, announced their break with the Deputy President during a large gathering on Wednesday, backing Prof Kindiki as the region's link to President Ruto’s government. 

They cited Prof Kindiki’s strong relationship with the president and his ability to help the region build positive ties with other parts of the country.