EMBU, Kenya — A coalition of elders from Mt Kenya East has endorsed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for a future presidential bid, seeking to build political support for his succession beyond the 2027 General Election.
The elders, drawn from Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Kirinyaga and Isiolo, made the declaration on Saturday at Nembure Grounds in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, where they called for closer political cooperation between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West.
Their resolution goes beyond supporting President William Ruto’s re-election with Kindiki as his deputy in 2027. The elders explicitly backed Kindiki’s eventual ambition to become the first Kenyan President from Mt Kenya East.
“We therefore believe that the time has come for the people of Mount Kenya West to reciprocate that solidarity by supporting Kithure Kindiki unconditionally as the Deputy President and in his future ambitions of becoming the first President of the Republic of Kenya from Mount Kenya East,” the elders said.
The declaration potentially injects a new dimension into the succession debate within the Mt Kenya region, where political influence has historically been associated largely with communities from the western side of the mountain.
Elders invoke political history
The elders framed their endorsement as a question of political reciprocity, arguing that Mt Kenya East communities have for decades supported leaders originating from Mt Kenya West.
They cited former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as former Vice Presidents Joseph Karanja and George Saitoti, as leaders who received political support from the eastern side of the region.
They also pointed to their backing of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his two years in office.
According to the elders, the historical relationship between the two blocs should now result in Mt Kenya West supporting Kindiki’s political ambitions.
They described his elevation to the Deputy Presidency as an “historic opportunity” for Mt Kenya East to strengthen its political voice and influence at the national level.
The elders have consequently tasked their respective councils with opening structured discussions with counterparts from Mt Kenya West, including Kiama Kia Ma, to establish what they described as a common position on the region’s political and development future.
Kindiki positioned at centre of Mt Kenya negotiations
The elders also designated Kindiki as the principal political figure through whom they intend to engage on issues affecting the wider region.
“Any individual, leader or community seeking to engage the people of Mt Kenya on any matter, including politics, shall do so through Deputy President Kithure Kindiki,” they said.
They said the proposed framework would allow Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West to develop a common position on issues of mutual interest while respecting the distinct traditions, institutions and identities of the communities involved.
The elders further appealed to residents of Mt Kenya West, including those living abroad, to extend to Kindiki what they described as the same “spirit of solidarity, loyalty and brotherhood” that the eastern side had historically shown western leaders.
Their position effectively seeks to establish a political bargain: Continued support for Ruto and Kindiki in 2027 in exchange for broader regional backing for Kindiki’s longer-term presidential ambitions.
Ruto receives backing for 2027
While placing Kindiki’s future ambitions at the centre of their resolution, the elders also endorsed Ruto’s bid for a second term.
They thanked the President for appointing Kindiki as his deputy and described the decision as an honour to Mt Kenya East and the wider region.
“We reaffirm our support for the President, Dr William Samoei Ruto, and his administration, and pledge the support of the people of Mt Kenya East towards his re-election as the President of the Republic of Kenya for the second term,” they said.
The declaration comes as political actors begin laying the groundwork for the 2027 presidential contest, with the Mt Kenya region expected to remain a critical battleground.
Kindiki’s position is particularly significant because he represents Mt Kenya East within an administration whose political fortunes remain closely linked to the region’s support.
Elders demand major road projects
The elders also used the meeting to present a development agenda, asking the government to prioritise major infrastructure projects in Mt Kenya East.
Among their demands was the construction of a dual carriageway linking Makutano, Embu, Chuka, Meru and Maua.
They also called for the construction of the Nithi Bridge, arguing that the projects would improve connectivity, reduce congestion and enhance road safety while facilitating the movement of people and goods.
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The elders said improved transport infrastructure would boost trade and accelerate economic activity across the region.
Their demands provide a development component to what was otherwise a strongly political declaration, linking their support for the government to expectations of greater investment in the region.
Beyond Mt Kenya
The elders said their proposed engagement would eventually extend beyond Mt Kenya once they had strengthened unity within the region.
They said they planned to engage councils of elders and other legitimate representatives from communities across Kenya to promote national cohesion, peaceful coexistence, equitable economic development and respect for constitutional institutions.
They described the communities of Mt Kenya East and West as sharing historical, social, economic and cultural ties, while also invoking their joint participation in Kenya’s struggle against colonial rule.
The elders concluded by declaring themselves “one people with a shared destiny” and reaffirmed their support for Ruto’s development agenda and confidence in Kindiki’s leadership.
The bigger political picture
The declaration is notable because it moves the Kindiki conversation beyond the 2027 Deputy Presidency and into the question of presidential succession.
For now, the elders are backing a Ruto-Kindiki ticket. But by explicitly asking Mt Kenya West to support Kindiki’s eventual presidential ambitions, they are also laying an early political foundation for a future contest over who speaks for, and eventually leads, the wider Mt Kenya region.
