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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s bid to unite Mt Kenya has been bolstered after leaders from the region backed him.
Speaking during the closure of the Mt Kenya Golf Festival tournament held at the Nyeri Golf Club on Saturday, the over 50 elected leaders also promised to work with him for the economic growth and development of the region.
Also in attendance were businessmen and women, professionals and politicians from the region who vowed to rally behind him.
A section of members of the Jubilee Party also attended the event.
“We are delighted by your presence in this forum. We urge you to follow in the footsteps of former President Mwai Kibaki and make the golf tournament an annual event,” Nyeri Town MP Maina Mathenge and Trade and Investments expert Daniel Wamahiu said.
“Kibaki was the patron of the club and played golf for 40 years. Continue with his legacy because you are our leader.”
They said it was time to forge a united front in the pursuit of the interests of the region and support President Ruto’s government.
“We are coming together as Mt Kenya leaders behind the Deputy President to address our political and economic interests such as unemployment,” EALA MP Kanini Kega said.
In his remarks, the Deputy President said that since it was not an electioneering period, the country should be united, promising to consolidate the region for purposes of its growth and development.
“President William Ruto and I want all Kenyans to be one team, one people for the development of this country since the elections are over,” he said.
Over 50 MPs from the region who joined the DP for the event pledged their loyalty to the President and his deputy saying the region was desirous of development and unity.
Governors Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Joshua Irungu (Laikipia), Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a), Nyeri Deputy Governor David Kinaniri and Senators Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), Kamau Murango (Kirinyaga), John Methu (Nyandarua), John Kinyua (Laikipia) Tabitha Karanja (Nakuru) and Veronica Maina (Nominated) were in attendance.
In his remarks at the golf tournament, the Deputy President requested the business community to work together with the government and pursue a unity of purpose.
“Let us work together and pursue a unity of purpose, assist each other and build our country. None of us had an interest in what happened during that time (election campaigns). I am asking people of this region with a lot of humility to rally behind the President and assist him in the development programs,” he said.
“A time has come for us to come together and interact with businessmen and professionals and get ideas on how to make this country better.”
Last week, the Kikuyu Council of Elders, through its National Chairperson Wachira Kiago welcomed and endorsed the Deputy President’s bid to unite the region and to reach out to all leaders irrespective of their political affiliation.
The Akurino Church also endorsed the Deputy President as the regional political kingpin asking him to chart the region’s political destiny. BY THE STAR