Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen/HANDOUT
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged residents of the Mt Kenya region to rally behind Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, describing him as the region’s future leader.
Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony at St. Stephen’s Secondary School in Kagaari, Embu County, Murkomen appealed to locals to support the Deputy President, saying their backing was critical.
“I want you to support Prof. Kindiki as the Deputy President and hold his hand,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary also called on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to fully support Kindiki after his recent remarks referring to him as the “son of the mountain.”
Murkomen said Gachagua should go beyond acknowledging Kindiki and openly encourage the region to unite behind him.
“If you now acknowledge that he is your son, why can’t you go all the way and say that we should support him?” he posed.
He dismissed claims that Kindiki was facing challenges within the government, maintaining that the Deputy President’s only concern would be a lack of support from his home region.
“There is no problem with Prof. Kindiki. He will only have a problem if you do not support him,” Murkomen said.
The Cabinet Secretary also assured Kenyans that the government remained committed to maintaining peace and public order across the country.
He commended the National Police Service for its handling of security, saying recent public meetings had been held without incidents involving violent groups.
“I commend the National Police Service. In all the meetings that have taken place over the last two weeks, there have been no incidents involving goons,” he said.
Murkomen warned politicians and other individuals accused of financing violence or mobilising people carrying crude weapons to disrupt public gatherings, saying the government would take firm action.
“We will not allow anyone to carry crude weapons in public and claim that they are doing so for self-protection while causing violence,” he said.
He said the government would continue enforcing the law to safeguard public meetings and ensure peace prevails.
Murkomen was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Esther Muoria of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Alex Wachira of Energy, Betsy Njagi of Blue Economy and Fisheries, and Joseph Mbugua of Roads.
Also present were Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba, Mbeere South MP Nebart Muriuki, Embu County Woman Representative Pamela Njoki, Members of County Assembly and other leaders.