Residents of Ndaragwa Constituency in Nyandarua County, an area where the current government is believed to have lost popularity, met for a one-on-one meeting with leaders supporting President William Ruto.
Led by Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and Ndaragwa MP George Gachagua, the MPs faced resistance from residents who expressed their anger and disagreement with the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
While discussing new development plans and public participation strategies for all government programs, the MPs urged residents to support the government for development, saying that everyone has a responsibility to hold the government accountable and commend it for its performance.
During the meeting, residents complained that President Ruto’s administration had deceived them during the 2022 election campaigns. According to them, the president has neglected the area and failed to fulfill his development promises he made before the election.
As part of calming the locals’ anger, MPs Kiunjuri, Githua Wamacukuru (Kabete) and Gachagua outlined the plans that Ruto’s government intends to implement, saying that it is through their support for the current leadership that the area can benefit.
In addition, the MPs urged the citizens to continue to have faith in the government in power, as according to them, it is the only way to achieve development.
Winning back the mountain
Kiunjuri called on the government to allow Kenyans to express their opinion, frastruations and dislikes about the Kenya Kwanza Government, so as to execute a proper plan of mending the fences.
“Tusipoachilia Wakenya waseme shida zao, tutakuwa tunawakandamiza,” Kiunjuri, who is serving his fourth term in Parliament, said during the meeting in Ndaragwa.
Kiunjuri is one of the seasoned politicians from Mt Kenya region that President Ruto has picked to lead a charm offensive of winning back the vote-rich region.
Ruto is tapping on Kiunjuri’s experience, considering he also served in the Cabinet of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration (two years in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and two years in the in the Ministry of Devolution and Planning). Kiunjuri also served as an Assistant Minister for ten years (2002-2013) in President Mwai Kibaki’s government.
Apart from Kiunjuri, Ruto is also banking on his deputy, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, to woo the Mt Kenya East votes to his camp ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election.
By Laban Muhinda
