Addressing the press, Embu Bodaboda Association vice secretary Benjamin Mukundi revealed that intelligence gathered by the riders’ union indicates that some individuals within Embu have been paid to disrupt the DP's meeting. He termed the plans shameful and counterproductive.

“If you have received KSh 200 or 500 to cause chaos, kindly stay at home,” Mukundi declared. “We’ve not been paid a single cent to guard this meeting, but we are determined to ensure Kindiki speaks without interruptions so that lasting solutions to Embu’s insecurity are found.”

Mukundi urged residents to rise above political divisions and accord the Deputy President the respect befitting any national leader, regardless of political affiliations. He emphasized that heckling not only undermines national leadership but also delays the urgent interventions Embu desperately needs.

His sentiments were echoed by Joseph Thuku, a bodaboda leader who expressed optimism that Kindiki’s visit would yield concrete action on insecurity.

“We are confident that the DP will issue strong directives that will restore safety in our town. Let’s avoid being misused by political agents out to sabotage development,” Thuku cautioned.

Wario Kahunya, the vice secretary of the Kirimari chapter of the Bodaboda Association, affirmed that the riders were ready to take responsibility for maintaining order during Kindiki’s visit. He noted that the bodaboda sector has suffered the brunt of the crime wave in Embu.

“We have lost motorcycles, been attacked on the roads, and watched our fellow riders suffer. We have a stake in this meeting, and we will protect it,” he said.

The Deputy President’s visit follows a recent break-in at a local business premises where a gang made away with goods worth millions. The incident, just two days old, has sparked a public outcry and renewed pressure on security agencies.

Residents and business owners have decried the rising crime, urging the national government to act swiftly. Kindiki’s tour is expected to address these fears and outline a clear path to restoring safety and order in Embu County.

While responding to warm welcome at Muuna home for Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he was glad to be in Tseikuru "with my brother Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and our team."

The controversial bill, sponsored by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, proposes to delete Muguka from the Crops Act, effectively ending its recognition as a legal crop in Kenya. The farmers led by Leonard Muthende a local farmer and politician in Mbeere North are questioning the timing and motive behind the bill, especially coming at a time when Mbeere North is without a Member of Parliament after Geoffrey Ruku was appointed to the Cabinet.

Muthende termed the bill suspicious and ill-intentioned, arguing that instead of introducing laws that would hurt the Muguka industry, the Kilifi legislator should have pushed for policies that benefit growers, such as compensation or royalties for the Mbeere community whose economy largely depends on Muguka.

“Muguka farming has made life bearable in the arid, dry, thirsty and marginalized Mbeere. It is the lifeline of the Mbeere people .The status quo must not be destabilized because of prejudices that are not anchored in science” he said.

Muthende praised former MP Geoffrey Ruku for championing the recognition of Muguka, which led to its inclusion under the Miraa (Regulations) 2023—recognizing it as part of scheduled crops under the Crops Act. He called on President William Ruto to intervene and protect Muguka farmers, saying the community has faith in his leadership.

Kathuri Nganjire, another farmer, echoed Muthende’s sentiments, stating that Muguka farming has not caused any harm as alleged in some quarters. He accused opponents of the crop of trying to destabilize families that rely on Muguka as a source of income.

Felista Kanini warned that if Muguka is declassified as a crop, thousands of youth and families who depend on it may be pushed into crime due to loss of livelihood.

Muguka contributes significantly to Embu County’s economy, bringing in about KSh22 billion annually, surpassing earnings from coffee and tea. Farmers deliver up to 36 tonnes daily to the coast, raking in an estimated Sh10.8 million each day. 

President Ruto has already declared that Muguka is legally recognized and any attempts by county governments to ban it are unconstitutional. Still, the proposed bill has stirred anxiety among farmers who fear being pushed to the margins of the economy once again.

The proposed Gikuyari-Karambari-Kirie-Mugwanjogu-Karerema-Ishiara Road will connect the three wards of Muminji, Nthawa, and Evurore, and is set to transform the region’s economy by improving connectivity and easing transport to neighboring counties of Meru and Kitui.

The announcement was made by immediate former MP Geoffrey Ruku now serving as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes—through his social media platforms, sparking excitement across the constituency.

For residents of Muminji Ward, the news is nothing short of historic. Since independence, the area has never had a tarmacked road, and the promise of change is stirring hope. Local leader and Mbeere North politician Joab Konji described the development as a turning point, recalling how residents have suffered, especially during the rainy season when the road becomes impassable due to flooding, mudslides, and erosion.

“It’s a struggle we have endured for decades. We have even seen examination papers delivered by helicopter because of this road. It is not just about transport it is about dignity and opportunity,” Konji said.

A tragedy that claimed the lives of 11 elderly passengers three years ago after their bus plunged into a flooded Thura River remains etched in the community’s memory, a grim reminder of the consequences of poor infrastructure.

David Mugo, another resident, said the road’s condition has long hampered economic progress, making the cost of transporting people and goods unbearably high. “Farmers growing muguka, our main cash crop, suffer reduced profits because of high transport costs. We have been cut off for too long,” he said.

Youth leader Collins Kithweri shared how the state of the road has crippled the boda boda business, with frequent breakdowns and accidents becoming the norm. “Some of us have injuries to show for it. Others have lost their sources of income altogether,” he added.

Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year, and for the people of Mbeere North, it signals not just a road but a lifeline one that may finally unlock the full potential of a region long left behind.