Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has intensified his call for Mt Kenya East to chart its own political and development path.
He said Mt Kenya East should not fear separating from Mt Kenya West if doing so would guarantee a fairer share of national resources.
Speaking in Thagicu, Mbeere North, Wednesday, Ruku said Mt Kenya West and Mt Kenya East should go separate ways if such an arrangement would address what he described as longstanding disparities in development and resource allocation.
The Cabinet Secretary said political unity should not come at the expense of development, arguing that the interests of residents should take priority over maintaining a united political bloc.
He said Mt Kenya East should be willing to pursue a separate political path if doing so would improve its chances of securing development projects and greater representation in government.
“If splitting the mountain will get Mt Kenya East electricity, then let it be so. If splitting the mountain will see Mt Kenya East get tarmac roads, let it be so,” Ruku stated.
Ruku further argued that the region should consider going separate ways if such a move would improve President William Ruto’s chances of securing re-election in the 2027 General Election.
He also said a split could be justified if it enhanced the prospects of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki succeeding Ruto as President after the latter completes his second term.
His remarks are likely to reignite debate over the political identity of the Mt Kenya region, which has traditionally been viewed as a major voting bloc with significant influence in national elections.
Ruku has in recent months stepped up his advocacy for a distinct political identity for Mt Kenya East, comprising Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties.
He has argued that the eastern bloc has historically not received a fair share of national development compared with Mt Kenya West and that residents should rethink their political strategy to secure greater benefits from the national government.
Infrastructure has been at the centre of Ruku’s argument, with the CS repeatedly citing roads, electricity and other development projects as areas where he believes Mt Kenya East continues to face disparities.
He has also urged residents of the region to support Ruto’s administration while backing Kindiki as a potential future presidential contender.
Former presidential adviser Moses Kuria has cautioned Ruku against what he described as efforts to split Mt Kenya.
Kuria acknowledged the concerns raised by the CS but argued that the region would be better placed to negotiate for its interests if it remained politically united.
