Mount Kenya East Leaders Announce Breakout, Prompting Reaction from Wahome Thuku

A new political development has emerged in the Mount Kenya region as leaders from Mount Kenya East have declared their intention to operate separately from the larger Mount Kenya Central region.

This announcement involves leaders from Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi counties, who have decided to pursue their development needs independently.

The leaders from Mount Kenya East have appointed Professor Kithure Kindiki, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, as their spokesperson. 

Kindiki will be responsible for addressing the specific development issues of the eastern counties directly with the government. This move is aimed at ensuring that the unique needs and concerns of these counties are given proper attention and consideration.

In response to the announcement, lawyer Wahome Thuku has dismissed the idea of Mount Kenya East functioning as an independent entity. Thuku argues that the concept of Mount Kenya East as a separate political unit is unrealistic. 

He emphasized that the region should not be viewed as distinct from Mount Kenya Central, which he considers the central and core part of the Mount Kenya community.

“Let me be clear. Mount Kenya East is not a separate entity. It’s more like tributaries that flow into the main river, which is the former Central Province,” Thuku stated. His comments reflect a belief that the proposed separation is merely a theoretical idea rather than a practical reality.

This political development comes amid growing tensions within the Mount Kenya region. Recently, there has been a public feud between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

Gachagua and Ichung’wah have been engaging in a war of words, with Gachagua and his allies addressing Ichung’wah indirectly, while Ichung’wah has used public forums to respond to Gachagua’s criticisms.

The announcement by the Mount Kenya East leaders adds another layer to the political rift in the region, highlighting the deepening divisions within Mount Kenya’s political landscape. The separation of Mount Kenya East from the larger Mount Kenya Central region is seen as a move that could further fragment the region’s political unity.

The decision by Mount Kenya East leaders to pursue an independent path could have significant implications for the region’s political dynamics. It may affect how resources are allocated and how development projects are planned and executed. 

The new arrangement might also influence future political alignments and strategies within the broader Mount Kenya area.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this new political configuration will impact the region's governance and its relationship with the central government.

For now, the focus is on how well Professor Kithure Kindiki can represent the interests of Mount Kenya East and whether this move will lead to more effective addressing of local issues or simply deepen the existing political divides.