By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking at Ontulili in Buuri Constituency, Meru County, Ruku singled out his Cabinet colleague, Cooperative Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, and other ODM leaders, accusing them of undermining Prof. Kindiki through persistent public debate over the Deputy President's position.

"The office of the Deputy President is occupied. It is wrong for leaders to continue discussing it as though it were vacant. Such conversations amount to disrespect to the Deputy President and the institution he serves," Ruku said.

The CS maintained that Prof. Kindiki remains President William Ruto's preferred running mate for the 2027 General Election and dismissed speculation about possible changes to the Kenya Kwanza ticket.

Ruku argued that ODM leaders should instead focus on other political positions that may emerge through future negotiations rather than targeting the Deputy President's office.

He further observed that leaders from the Western region already hold influential positions in government, including the Prime Cabinet Secretary's office and the Speaker of the National Assembly, adding that the Mt Kenya region would not accept being sidelined in the  political arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls.

"The Mt Kenya region will firmly stand behind the Ruto-Kindiki ticket in 2027. Thereafter, we shall rally behind Prof. Kindiki for the presidency in 2032," he said.

While acknowledging that political negotiations are a normal feature of coalition politics, Ruku said such engagements should be conducted respectfully and without undermining leaders already serving in constitutional offices.

"It is acceptable for political parties to negotiate for positions, but not in the manner some ODM leaders are doing by creating the impression that the Deputy President's office is up for grabs," he added.

The Cabinet Secretary also turned his attention to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of plotting against President Ruto. Ruku claimed that similar attempts by some leaders from the Mt Kenya West region to undermine former President Daniel arap Moi had failed, and predicted that efforts against President Ruto would meet the same fate.

He reaffirmed that the Mt Kenya region would continue supporting President Ruto "come rain or sunshine," saying the Kenya Kwanza administration remains united and focused on implementing its development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruku was accompanied by MPs Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), Patrick Munene (Chuka Igamba Ng'ombe) and John Bwire (Taveta) who echoed his sentiments throwing their weight behind President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki for second term in 2027)

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT 

The County Ministry of Roads, Public Works and Transport through the  Department of Transport and Boda Boda has conducted a public awareness and sensitisation forum to familiarise key road users and the wider community with the new traffic control system and promote compliance with traffic rules.

The forum, brought together key players in the transport sector, Kitui Municipality officers,  Kitui Base Commander, school administrators, representatives from Kitui Chamber of Commerce,  churches/mosque, PWDs, County Enforcement officers, and members of the press, underscoring the importance of a coordinated approach in ensuring the success of the new traffic management system.

The sensitisation programme combined practical demonstrations at the AIC Township intersection with a theory session held at a Kitui hotel. 

Speaking during the forum, Director Benard Mulevu  from the County Department of Transport & Boda Boda, who represented the Chief Officer, Transport & Boda Boda, underscored the importance of public awareness in ensuring that the new infrastructure achieves its intended purpose. 

Boda boda leaders and transport stakeholders were urged to take the lead in educating their members on responsible road use, while school administrators were encouraged to sensitise learners on safe road-crossing practices.

The County Government has called on motorists, boda boda riders, pedestrians and other road users to familiarise themselves with the new traffic signals and cooperate with authorities as the system becomes fully operational.

The message from the sensitisation forum was clear underscores the importance of taking responsibility when using roads. ",Safer roads begin with informed and responsible road users", the message read.

Kitui Central Sub County Administrator Gibson Kathoka and senior officers from the Ministry were also present.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Most county hospitals operated with minimal or no services as healthcare workers kept off their duty stations, forcing many patients to wait for hours without receiving treatment.

Patients who spoke to the press at Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital expressed frustration over the prolonged strike, saying they were the ones bearing the greatest burden of the stalemate.

Many said they had visited the hospital hoping to receive treatment but were turned away due to the absence of healthcare workers.

Mercy Karanja, who had sought medical services at the referral hospital, said she had not received any treatment despite spending several hours at the facility. She appealed to the county government to move with speed and resolve the dispute with health workers to restore normal services in public hospitals.

Another patient, Jennifer Wawira, urged the County Government of Embu to address the grievances raised by the striking health workers without further delay. Wawira, who had brought her son for treatment after he sustained a broken hand, said it was unfortunate that patients could not access services in public hospitals.

She noted that many families could not afford treatment in private hospitals and therefore depended entirely on public health facilities. Wawira said the continued strike had left vulnerable patients with no alternative, calling on all parties involved to find a lasting solution.

Embu County Youth Leader James Ireri, who visited the hospital on what he described as a fact-finding mission, criticized the county government over the handling of the crisis. Ireri accused Governor Cecily Mbarire of showing little interest in resolving the impasse, saying the prolonged dispute had subjected residents to unnecessary suffering.

He called for the immediate resolution of the health workers' grievances, saying restoring healthcare services should be treated as a matter of urgency to prevent further suffering among the people of Embu.

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By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Senator Mundigi dismissed the claims as “cheap propaganda,” amid intense lobbying from Western and Nyanza voting blocs within the Broad-based government who are eying the slot.

He maintained that Kindiki was still President Ruto’s preferred running mate in a move that resonates with Mt. Kenya East leaders who view Ruto-Kindiki presidential ticket as non-negotiable.

He told off the critics by reminding them that the President values Mt. Kenya Region and that is why he gave back the seat to one of their own following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. “President Ruto acknowledges the contribution of the region to his 2022 victory and cannot just take away the second in command position from the area just like that,” he stated, adding that the Ruto-Kindiki ticket was locked for 2027 polls.

Senator Mundigi said Kindiki had also proven that he was fit for the job for the period he had served as DP. He said Kindiki's performance as a dedicated, efficient and highly competent principal assistant to the president cements his place on the 2027 presidential ticket. “We are telling those eyeing the seat to hold their horses, maintaining that the current executive set up will continue in 2027 as we also plan to propel Kindiki to the presidency in 2032,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mundigi appealed to the region to stand firm behind Kindiki to build a formidable force that would make it impossible for him to be dropped without triggering a fallout.

He also appealed for the region to reject division politics in the region that he said would only serve to weaken its bargaining power ahead of 2027 general elections. “Our unity has been our strength for decades and fragmentation into small voting blocs would essentially mean that we surrender that leverage,” he stated.

Mundigi also criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of using inflammatory remarks against leaders from the Mt. Kenya region who have chosen to support President Ruto's administration.

The Embu county senator claimed that during his recent visit to Embu, Gachagua made disrespectful remarks against elected leaders aligned with the Kenya Kwanza government. Mundigi defended the leaders, saying every Kenyan has a constitutional right to support the political leader of their choice without intimidation or ridicule.