KENYA : President William Ruto has hosted Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, weeks after he accused the head of State of alienating the Community following his recent Cabinet Appointments and Parastatal Chief's Changes.
The meeting, was held on Monday, January 13, 2025, at State House Nairobi.
Insiders, revealed that President Ruto's move, comes as a strategic way to calm the growing discontent in the Mt Kenya region.
Although the details of the meeting were yet to be made public at the time of Publication, speculation is rifle Murungi might soon land a bigger role in government amid a looming cabinet reshuffle.
Several Political analysts, pointed to the president's meeting with Uhuru, which led to Uhuru's allies Cabinet appointment's. Backed on this, they claim Kiraitu's meeting is set to benefit the People of Meru or the Former Governor himself, amid looming changes.
This comes in the wake of Several negligence accusations of the region, levelled against the head of state.
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, Kiraitu petitioned President Ruto to consider Meru natives in government appointments.
Kiraitu, observed that the president has forgotten the region, despite its significant contribution to his vote basket.
"Our problem is that, how come Meru has disappeared from Kenya's national and political maps? We are number four in providing a multitude of votes for any government. Our people are not happy. They say that no minister was appointed in Meru, but why not give them even an ambassador? We are saying the Meru people are tired of being taken for granted." Kiraitu Stated.
"We won't be political door mats anymore. We want to be treated equally like other ethnic blocs because we have a right to be in this country just like the others," added Kiraitu.
He revealed a meeting was in the offing, bringing together all leaders and stakeholders from the community to chart their next Political path.
"We are not asking to be favoured more than others, but what we are against is being discriminated against. We have always voted correctly, and our people are surprised that Ruto seems to have forgotten them so quickly. They are now asking for their rights." Said Kiraitu.
" In the last regime, we complained about Mau Mau roads, and this time, we found ourselves in the same ditch. The time has come for Meru to walk in the middle of the road. We are going to give Ruto some benefit of the doubt. We want to analyse the situation and underlying causes through Christmas and New Year. We will then have a mega meeting with all Meru leaders to address the issues," he reiterated.
Just a day after the Former Meru Governor's outburst, Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi bashed President Ruto for allegedly alienating the Meru Community.
Mithika, Speaking on Sunday, December 22, 2024, stated that the AMeru Community is Tired of being sidelined by the Head of state despite being amongst the communities that contributed to a huge chunk of the Kenya-Kwanza administration's votes.
Linturi, liked the Current administration's treatment of the Community to that of a Man trying to lure a woman by all means, getting what he wants and neglecting the woman.
"President Moi used to tell us back a man who is courting a woman to marry promises her the world but deep down He knows He is lying. After marriage and children the marriage becomes toxic. An empowered woman opts out and looks for another man to love her with her burden while the man thinks a woman with children won't go anywhere and won't be loved." Linturi Said.
" To President William Ruto, Meru trusted you with their votes but now that you are treating us like a desperate woman with kids." He added.
" We shall find another man ready to love us with our burden. Consultations are in high gear to chart way forward to review our relationship with the current administration." Linturi warned.
