Former presidential adviser Moses Kuria has cautioned Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku against what he described as efforts to split the Mt Kenya region, saying the region needs to remain united to maximise its political influence.
Ruku has in recent months been vocal about the need for Mt Kenya East to pursue its own political and development interests, citing infrastructure as one of the areas where he believes disparities are most evident.
However, Kuria, in a message directed at the CS, acknowledged Ruku’s concerns but warned that pursuing separate political interests for Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West could weaken the region’s bargaining power.
“Dear my brother CS Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, I understand your frustration, but it is not a good idea to split the Mountain. We need each other and every vote,” Kuria said.
He stressed the importance of Ruku’s Mbeere North constituency to the wider political equation, drawing a comparison with Kamenu Ward in Thika Town, which he described as Kenya’s most populous ward.
“Your Mbeere North Constituency, with 54,000 registered voters, is very important for us, just like Kamenu Ward in Thika Town with 58,000 registered voters, the most populous ward in Kenya,” Kuria said.
He concluded his message by calling for unity among leaders and communities from the region.
“Tupendane, ndugu. Kenya ni yetu sisi sote,” he added.
Ruku has argued that a section of the region, which he describes as Mt Kenya East comprising Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties, has for years experienced disparities in the distribution of government projects compared with Mt Kenya West.
“If you look at the distribution of infrastructure, roads in Mt Kenya, the number of kilometres of tarmacked roads, you will find 77.7 per cent of all the roads constructed in Mt Kenya region are in Mt Kenya West,” Ruku previously said.
He has also contrasted electricity connectivity in parts of Mt Kenya West and Mt Kenya East to illustrate what he considers unequal development.
“In Kiambu County, electricity connection is about 90 per cent. But in Tharaka Nithi County, you will ask yourself, are we in the same region?” he posed.
Ruku’s position has drawn criticism from some who argue that a separate political approach by Mt Kenya East could fragment the region’s influence.
The Cabinet Secretary has, however, rejected claims that he is seeking to divide the Mt Kenya region, saying his comments are intended to highlight development inequalities rather than create political divisions.
“I am not splitting the mountain. I am just saying the truth of how things are as far as the region is concerned,” Ruku has said.
He has maintained that his position is informed by what he describes as the realities facing the region, particularly in the distribution of development projects.
