Mt Kenya East Elders hit out at Gachagua for undermining Kindiki

In a bold pronouncement made during a large gathering in Runyenjes on Thursday, July 3rd, the elders issued what they called the Runyenjes Declaration. They said Gachagua’s continued attacks on Deputy President Kindiki are not just political games but they are an insult to the entire Mt. Kenya East community.

“We have seen the impeached former Deputy President and his allies continue to insult and attack Deputy President Kindiki and leaders from our region. This is wrong. It is not just politics it is disrespect to the people of Mt. Kenya East and to Kenyans as a whole,” the declaration read.

The elders reminded Kenyans that they had already made their position clear through the Izaak Walton Declaration  in September 2024, when they publicly withdrew support for Gachagua due to what they termed as his divisive leadership and selfish interests. They said his time in office was marked by confusion, fights and deliberate sabotage of Mt. Kenya East’s development agenda.

“He divided our people, brought confusion, and ignored development. He did not unite the region and only pushed his own selfish interests,” the elders said.

They thanked President William Ruto and Members of Parliament for removing Gachagua in a democratic and lawful manner, and commended the appointment of Prof. Kindiki as Deputy President. According to the elders, Kindiki has restored dignity to the office through humility, hard work, and a firm focus on national development.

“In the last eight months, Deputy President Kindiki has shown true leadership. He is focused on development and has brought back discipline to the Office of the Deputy President.”

The elders questioned whether  Gachagua attack on Kindiki was simply because he comes from Mt. Kenya East.

“Our question is simple.  Is the impeached former Deputy President attacking Prof. Kindiki simply because he comes from Mt. Kenya East and not Mt. Kenya West like the others before him?," they questioned.

They warned that continued insults and attempts to undermine Kindiki would not be tolerated, and called on all leaders to put the region’s unity and development above personal interest.

“We shall not allow our region to be taken back to dirty politics and fights that do not help our people.”

The elders affirmed their full support for President William Ruto, Deputy President Kindiki, and all elected and appointed leaders from Mt. Kenya East. They urged Kindiki to stay focused and continue working with the President to bring development and unity to the nation.