MCAs From 12 Counties Endorse Kindiki, Deepening Rift With Gachagua
A group of MCAs from 12 counties has endorsed Interior CS Kithure Kindiki as their link to President William Ruto, further sidelining Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. This announcement comes just a week after about 60 MPs from Mt Kenya and Nairobi declared their allegiance to Kindiki, breaking ranks with Gachagua.
Meeting in Murang’a, the ward representatives stated that Kindiki would serve as their point of contact with the national government on matters concerning leadership, development, and their welfare.
“We trust in Kindiki’s competence, experience, and ability to champion the development needs of our region while also advancing the interests of other areas for the overall prosperity of the nation,” the MCAs said in a joint statement. The MCAs hailed from Murang’a, Kiambu, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi, with some from Nairobi and Isiolo also backing Kindiki.
The MCAs argued that effective coordination with the national government would enhance county governments’ efforts and accelerate development during the remainder of President Ruto’s first term. They further pledged their “unequivocal support” for Ruto’s agenda of equitable development across Kenya.
However, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, who also chairs the Council of Governors (CoG), distanced herself from the meeting. Some MCAs had claimed she would attend, but Waiguru clarified that she was neither involved in organizing the meeting nor consulted on its agenda. In a statement posted on her X account, Waiguru stated that MCA welfare concerns had already been addressed during a forum hosted by President Ruto in March 2024, with resolutions submitted to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for action.
She also noted that other MCA demands, such as granting autonomy to county assemblies, are being handled by the Senate, while their contributory pension scheme is under review. Waiguru emphasized her continued commitment to addressing these issues and strengthening devolution for the benefit of citizens.
Meanwhile, some MCAs rejected the decision to back Kindiki, echoing Waiguru’s position. They argued that an intermediary was unnecessary for resolving their welfare issues, as these should be handled directly by the government.
“The narrative that we need to go through Prof Kithure Kindiki to address our welfare is misleading. MCAs have a right to have their concerns addressed without intermediaries,” the dissenting group stated.
Waiguru also addressed rumors of her being endorsed for the deputy presidency in the 2027 general election, calling it a premature discussion. She emphasized that leaders should focus on delivering on the promises of the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying, “Everyone should continue serving Kenyans in their respective offices so that we can all go back to the people in 2027.”
At the Murang’a meeting, the MCAs voiced their support for a proposal by Mt Kenya MPs to push for a united and coordinated approach to development. A majority of the MCAs were elected on the UDA ticket in 2022, while others represented parties allied with President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The MCAs pointed to the ongoing political divisions in Mt Kenya as a result of leadership gaps in the region. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Finance Committee Chairperson Kuria Kimani echoed these concerns, explaining that they were distancing themselves from Gachagua because “the Mt Kenya region risks lagging behind in development with stalled projects.”
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