The Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders has called on leaders and residents of Mt Kenya East to remain within the Kenya Kwanza coalition as political realignments start to take shape ahead of the 2027 general election.
Secretary-General Josphat Murangiri says exiting the ruling alliance would dilute the region’s bargaining power and reduce its chances of landing senior government positions in the years ahead.
Speaking on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Murangiri said the priority for Mt Kenya East should be to consolidate its current standing in government, which he described as the strongest it has been in years.
He pointed to the appointment of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as a clear win for the region and argued that walking away from the administration would amount to giving up hard-won influence.
“It is unwise to imagine that the opposition has a better offer than what we already have,” Murangiri said.
“The deputy president’s position is one of the highest offices in the land. What we need is to protect what we have and strengthen our place in government.”
He urged residents across Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Embu counties to rally behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, saying continuity in power would keep the region close to decision-making and improve Deputy President Kindiki’s prospects for higher office later.
“If we want to remain close to power, we must support President Ruto’s re-election bid because that way, our son, Deputy President Kindiki, will stand a stronger chance of rising to the highest office in 2032,” Murangiri told elders and residents gathered for the Sunday meeting.
The elder also stressed that unity across the wider Mt Kenya region would determine how much leverage the area commands in elections and in coalition negotiations. He described Mt Kenya as a vote-rich bloc that can secure better development terms when it negotiates as one.
“Unity is crucial. Mt Kenya is a vote-rich region, and when we speak with one voice, we are able to negotiate from a position of strength and secure greater benefits for our people,” he said.
Murangiri warned that divisions, factional fights and early defections would weaken the region’s collective voice and make it easier for other regions to shape the next government without Mt Kenya East at the table.
While endorsing the administration’s development agenda, Murangiri acknowledged growing frustration among citizens over the cost of living and the pace of taxation. He noted that President Ruto’s government is running many projects at once, from roads and markets to health and housing, and that the approach has put pressure on taxpayers compared to the more phased rollout under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Former President Uhuru Kenyatta also worked towards achieving Vision 2030, but projects were implemented progressively. The current administration appears determined to undertake many projects simultaneously, and that has resulted in a heavier tax burden on Kenyans,” he said.
Murangiri urged the President to review aspects of the implementation strategy to ease the burden on households while still delivering long-term economic gains. He said many of the projects underway are meant to improve productivity and incomes over time, and citizens should continue engaging with government programs while giving honest feedback on areas that need adjustment.
The elder’s comments reflect a balancing act many regional leaders are attempting : defending the government they helped elect, while pushing it to respond to economic pain on the ground.
The Njuri Ncheke Secretary-General also used the forum to call for greater inclusion of Mau freedom fighters in national affairs. He said veterans who fought for independence still hold valuable knowledge on governance, patriotism and nation-building, yet are rarely consulted on policy.
“The Mau veterans had a vision for this country. It is unfortunate that many of them are rarely consulted on matters of national importance despite them still having a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help guide the nation,” Murangiri said.
He asked elected leaders to create regular platforms for engagement with freedom fighters and to factor their perspectives into discussions on security, land, and national values.
Njuri Ncheke Council remains one of the most influential traditional institutions in Mt Kenya East and has historically shaped community positions on land, social order, and politics. Its pronouncement signals an early effort to lock in regional alignment before the 2027 campaigns intensify.
The remarks come as opposition leaders continue efforts to court support from the Mt Kenya region, one of the country’s most influential voting blocs.
