Elders from Mount Kenya region and the diaspora have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to name his preferred successor.
The 250 elders from ten Mount Kenya region counties said they were ready to support any leader the President picks as his preferred successor when his term ends in 2022.
Speaking at Abai Hotel in Kirinyaga County, the elders asked the President to give them political direction.
Accompanied by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, the elders insisted that the President was still the region’s kingpin and they would follow his political path.
“We are here to state that we are behind the Head of State and we shall back any person who he wants to take over power after he retires,” said Mr Kanyi Maina from Embu.
The elders vowed that they will not be divided when it comes to voting for a presidential candidate whom the Head of State will front.
“We shall go by the wish of President Kenyatta who has been very kind to us, we shall not let him down,” Kirinyaga Jubilee Party chairman Mureithi Kang’ara said.
Another elder, Ms Kananu Riungu said she and her colleagues were eagerly waiting to hear from the President.
The elders said they will preach peace in Mount Kenya region ahead of 2022 polls.
“We would like to see that campaigns are conducted peacefully. We don’t want our country to be plunged into chaos,” added Mr Kang’ara.
Mr Munya and the PS said they were happy to see the elders united for a common goal.
“We are impressed that the elders can read the President’s body language and they are now waiting to know who they will back as their presidential candidate,” said Mr Munya.
The CS said he had attended the meeting to listen to the views of the elders who are willing to participate in the electoral process.
Mr Munya hit out at his critics saying he had a right to speak politics.” I’m a politician and I can’t be silenced,” he said.
And Dr Kibicho reiterated that he will continue conducting civic education despite opposition by Deputy President William Ruto’s allies.
He said people should be well informed to make wise decisions during polls. BY DAILY NATION