We called for a meeting with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on issues affecting Mt Kenya because he is our senior-most leader in the region, says Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders.
On Wednesday, the elders held a meeting with DP Gachagua at his Mathira home in Nyeri County where they discussed cross-cutting issues among them persistent wrangles among leaders in Meru County that have entangled effective delivery of services to residents.
The Council’s Secretary General in-charge of programmes Washington Muthamia said that they resolved to approach the DP because they have entrusted him to calm the political storms that have rocked the county since the Kenya Kwanza government was elected on August 9, 2022.
“As elders, we are the ones who requested to meet the DP so as to hold talks on a variety of issues affecting our region. Gachagua is the most senior leader in Mt Kenya region and that is why we went to his home for talks. We recognize him as our top leader. In fact, he holds a very top leadership position in this country,” Muthamia said.
The elders said the row between Governor Kawira Mwangaza and other elected leaders in the county has derailed development, hence, decided to discuss the matter with the country’s second-in-command for a long-lasting solution to be found.
“When leaders don’t work together, our people definitely suffer. At the moment, the governor seems to be working along and this is purely in the public domain. We would like all governors from Mt Kenya to work jointly with other elected leaders so as to enhance service delivery,” the Secretary General said.
Gachagua said the meeting facilitated community engagement in resolving political disputes and promoting unity in Meru.
“Njuri-Ncheke Elders called on me this morning at my home in Nyeri to discuss their concerns and those of Meru people, especially the conflict between their elected leaders – which has adversely affected service delivery in the county. After seven hours of deep and extensive consultations, we have agreed on a strategy of bringing lasting peace in the county in the next few weeks,” the DP posted on his official Facebook page.
The meeting enabled the exploration of collaborative solutions to pressing issues such as illicit brew and drug abuse that has affected the majority of youth from the region.
Muthamia said: “We discused on how we can, as elders, join the government in eradicating consumption of illicit brews in the region. Most of our public schools in Meru have meagre population of learners. This is a very sad state of affair and that is also why we reached out to the DP”.
“Resolving conflicts and fostering cooperation among leaders contribute to political stability in the region. A stable political environment is essential for attracting investment, promoting economic growth, and ensuring the well-being of residents,” read a dispatch from the DP’s office to newsrooms.
During an interview with Inooro TV last month at his Karen residence, the DP pledged to be consulting elders on matters affecting the people from Mt Kenya region.
“I would like to continue consulting elders on issues pertaining to our people. I don’t have a monopoly of ideas. I am a junior elder in the community despite the fact that I am the leader of the mountain,” Gachagua said.