LIST: 48 Mt Kenya MPs Who Have Endorsed Kindiki Over Gachagua As Kingpin

In a move that could dramatically tip the scales in the 2027 general elections, at least 48 elected leaders from the Mt Kenya region and the diaspora have endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to be their kingpin.

The MPs, largely drawn from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, met in Nyahururu in Nyandarua County and agreed to back the former Tharaka Nithi Senator over Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, setting a thrilling duel between the two who serve in the Kenya Kwanza government.

Notable leaders present at the event included; National Assembly Leader Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira) and Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town)

Others included Alice Ng'ang'a (Thika Town), Kuria Kimani (Molo) and John Kiarie (Dagoretti South) among other politicians. However, lawmakers allied to Gachagua did not attend the meeting.

A section of Mt Kenya leaders who have backed Interior CS Kithure Kindiki as their kingpin on Thursday, September 12, 2024. /SCREENGRAB

The lawmakers in a statement after the meeting said there was a need to have a link that would create a nexus with the Executive on matters of development.

“Given the prevailing state of affairs and the urgency of the mission ahead, there is a need to have a link that will create a nexus between us and the National Executive on matters of development.

“Accordingly, we, as the elected leaders from this region and its Diaspora on our own behalf and that of our people, unanimously resolve that our link to the National Government be the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration Prof. Kithure Kindiki, whose responsibilities includes the coordination of National Government functions across Country,” read the statement in part.

The MPs further lamented that efforts to consolidate the developmental needs of the people they represent have been frustrated by the lack of a focal point of reference to who they can channel the interests and priorities of the Mt Kenya residents.

The lawmakers also claimed that the region has suffered politics around unity to support an individual and personal ambition rather than the pursuit and lobbying of the interests of our constituents.

They also took issue with backroom lobbying where leaders from the region are arm-twisted into supporting certain leaders with consequences for those who fail to do so.

“Our attempts to call the region to the orderly prioritization of the developmental needs of the people have been frustrated by condescending threats of dire political consequences unless we support certain personal interests and ambitions,” the MPs claimed.

The MPs resolved that they will push legislative proposals in the National Assembly to enable the country and the region to benefit from development projects before the country gets to the next general elections.

This comes days after elected leaders from Mt Kenya East endorsed the Interior CS as their kingpin, adding a significant layer of difficulty for Gachagua should he choose to go for the top seat in the country in the vote-rich region.

The Mt Kenya and diaspora MPs who endorsed Kindiki over Gachagua include; 

1. Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri- MP, Laikipia East

2. Hon. (Dr) Wachira Karani – MP, Laikipia West

3. Hon. Jane Kagiri – MP, Laikipia

4. Hon. Eric Wamumbi – MP, Mathira 

5. Hon. John Kaguchia – MP, Mukurweini

6. Hon. Duncan Mathenge – MP, Nyeri Town

7. Hon. Geoffrey Wandeto – MP, Tetu

8. Hon. Wahome Wamatinga – Senator, Nyeri

9. Hon. George Gachagua – MP, Ndaragwa

10. Hon. Micheal Muchira – MP, Oljororok

11. Hon. Faith Gitau – MP, Nyandarua

12. Hon. Joseph Gitari – MP, Kirinyaga Central 

13. Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah – MP, Kikuyu

14. Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a – MP, Thika Town

15. Hon. Mburu Kahangara – MP, Lari

16. Hon. (Eng) John Kiragu – MP, Limuru

17. Hon. Githua Wamacukuru – MP, Kabete

18. Hon. John Wanjiku – MP, Kiambaa

19. Hon. Ann Muratha – MP, Kiambu

20. Hon. Njoroge Kururia – MP, Gatundu North

21. Hon. Gabriel Kagombe – MP, Gatundu South

22. Hon. Simon King’ara – MP, Ruiru

23. Hon. Machua Waithaka – MP, Kiambu Town

24. Hon. Betty Maina – MP, Murang’a

25. Hon. Edwin Mugo – MP, Mathioya

26. Hon. Kimani Kuria – MP, Molo

27. Hon. Samuel Gachobe – MP, Subukia

28. Hon. Irene Njoki – MP, Bahati

29. Hon. Charity Kathambi – MP, Njoro

30. Hon. John Kiarie – MP, Dagoretti South

31. Hon. Augustine Mwafrika – MP, Roysambu

32. Hon. Stanley Muthama – MP, Lamu West

33. Hon. Joseph Githuku – Senator, Lamu

34. Hon. Karen Nyamu – Nominated Senator

35. Hon Michael Wambugu – MP, Othaya

WITH THE CONCURRENCE of the following who were absent with apologies:

36. Hon. Martha Wangari – MP, Gilgil

37. Hon. David Gikaria – MP, Nakuru Town East

38. Hon. Kwenya Thuku – MP, Kinangop

39. Hon. David Kiaraho – MP, Olkalou

40. Hon. Muthoni Marubu – MP, Lamu

41. Hon. George Kariuki – MP, Ndia

42. Hon. Mary Maingi – MP, Mwea

43. Hon. Robert Gichimu – MP, Gichugu    

44. Hon. Ronald Karauri – MP, Kasarani

45. Hon. Wanjiku Muhia – MP, Kipipiri

46. Hon. Joseph Iraya – Nominated MP

47. Hon. Antony Wainaina – MP, Kieni

48. Hon. Rahab Mukami – MP, Nyeri County

In political terms, a kingpin refers to a politician who controls the ethnic politics of a region. Simply put, if he tells his people to jump, they only ask how high.

One must be a kingpin to have realistic chances of winning the presidency in Kenya.

President William Ruto hosts Mt Kenya leaders for a breakfast meeting at State House, Nairobi on August 10, 2024. /PCS