Laikipia East MP and The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has sharply criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what he termed as attempts to stifle political diversity in the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Marmanet ESP market in Laikipia West’s Marmanet Ward, Kiunjuri declared that the region thrives on multi-party democracy, adding that leadership should be based on one’s ability to deliver—not party loyalty.
“Tumekuwa tukichagua viongozi wetu sio kwa misingi ya vyama, lakini wale viongozi ambao watatufanyia kazi. Ndio maana hatuna wasi wasi, watu wakitaka kuunda vyama, waunde vile wanataka, lakini sisi vyama yetu ni kazi. Hata uite chama jina gani, kazi yako ndio itachaguliwa,” said Kiunjuri.
He dismissed recent efforts by Gachagua to rally Mt. Kenya leaders and residents behind his newly launched Democratic Congress Party (DCP), branding the move as self-serving.
“Huwezi kaa hivi ujiite gitungati ufikirie watu watakuchagua. Watu wa Kenya lazima tuchague wale watu watatufanyia kazi, sio ile chama hatujui itatupeleka wapi,” Kiunjuri added.
The former Cabinet Secretary emphasized that unity behind a single political outfit does not equate to development, and warned against blindly following leaders whose agendas remain unclear.
In a veiled reference to Gachagua’s criticism of Interior CS Kithure Kindiki’s empowerment initiatives, Kiunjuri questioned the sincerity behind the push for regional unity.
“Huwezi kuwa unapinga empowerment ya Kindiki yet you have nothing to show. Kama all other regions empowerment inaendelea, why not in this region?” he posed.
Kiunjuri concluded with a warning that poor political decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections could plunge the region into political regret.
“If you gamble with politics in 2027, you will find yourself gnashing your teeth after singing songs led by people who are formless and have no vision,” he cautioned.
