By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 7 August 2026 - Hunt to woo voters from the Mt Kenya region has intensified from both political divide, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki launching a fresh charm offensive in Mt Kenya East, calling for an end to political recriminations and urging regional leaders to put development ahead of personal rivalries.
Kindiki struck a conciliatory tone while addressing women groups from Meru County at his Irunduni home, saying he had forgiven leaders who had criticised or attacked him and was willing to work with them despite their political differences.
His message is aimed particularly at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other leaders who have fallen out with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Kindiki on Thursday named former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and former Governor Peter Munya among leaders he considered his political brothers.
He said disagreements should not degenerate into personal attacks.
“Even those who insult me, I forgive them. They are leaders from Meru and I respect them. I will not insult them because I love them and they are my brothers,” he said.
The remarks appeared designed to lower the political temperature in a region that has become increasingly divided over its relationship with President William Ruto's administration.
Kindiki urged leaders who were uncomfortable in their current political alliances to consider working with the government, arguing that political differences should not stand in the way of development.
He invoked the political history of Mt Kenya, saying the region had previously rallied behind presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta without the divisions now threatening its political cohesion.
He challenged the region to give Ruto similar backing as he seeks a second term in 2027.
“We supported former presidents from the region without divisions. Now it is our time to support President William Ruto for a second term for the sake of attracting development from the national government,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President also revisited his relationship with Gachagua, insisting that he had never undermined his predecessor while serving as Interior Cabinet Secretary.
Kindiki rejected suggestions that he had engineered Gachagua's removal from office.
“I did not participate in his impeachment or take his job illegally. I accepted the office of Deputy President because it is a public office and I wanted to serve the people and accelerate development in our region,” he said.
But his conciliatory message carried a warning.
Kindiki said he would not respond to insults with insults, although he would confront anyone who disrespected him.
“I will not insult or disrespect him as long as he does not insult me. But if he disrespects me, I will face him man to man,” he said.
The remarks underline the delicate political balancing act facing Mt Kenya as the 2027 elections approach.
The region remains an important electoral bloc, but its political leadership has become fragmented following the fallout between Ruto and Gachagua.
Kindiki is positioning himself as a bridge between the region and the national government while defending the administration's record and seeking to keep Mt Kenya East within the Kenya Kwanza fold.
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He also made clear that his political ambitions extend beyond the current administration.
Kindiki said he would seek the presidency in 2032 after Ruto completes his constitutional term.
That declaration adds a longer-term dimension to his campaign to consolidate support in Mt Kenya East and establish himself as a major national political player.
For now, however, his immediate message is loyalty to the Ruto administration.
Kindiki warned residents against abandoning the government for opposition political formations, arguing that doing so could weaken the region's ability to secure state-backed development.
“You do not kill a cow that is about to give birth to a calf,” he said.
He cited roads and markets as evidence of the government's commitment to Mt Kenya East.
Kindiki said the government had set aside KSh 39 billion for road construction across Meru County, including improved links between Meru and neighbouring Tharaka Nithi.
He said better roads would reduce transport costs, strengthen trade and open markets for farmers and small businesses.
The government would also construct 21 modern markets across Meru, with each ward expected to have a market, he said.
The projects are particularly significant for women traders and small-scale businesses that often operate in congested and poorly serviced markets.
Kindiki said Tharaka Nithi would also benefit from the market development programme.
His broader argument was straightforward: political influence should translate into tangible economic benefits.
“The people of Mt Kenya East have lagged behind in development for many years. We are determined to ensure this region receives its fair share of national development through better roads, markets and other critical infrastructure,” he said.
The political challenge for Kindiki is whether the development message can overcome the deepening rivalry within Mt Kenya.
His appeal for reconciliation signals an attempt to shift the debate from personalities and political grievances to access, influence and development.
But with 2027 approaching, the battle for the region's political allegiance is unlikely to be settled by infrastructure promises alone.
Gachagua is also traversing the Mountain, calling on voters to send the Ruto administration home in the 2027 polls. The Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) leader claims that the people from the vote rich Mt Kenya region were duped and that the most noble thing is to ensure they vote out the Kenya Kwanza government.