Kindiki calls for Mt Kenya unity as Ruku returns symbolic ‘axe’

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a meeting with elders from the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru communities at Kirigiti Stadium

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku to return the “axe” he said was being used to divide the Mount Kenya region, calling for unity among the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru communities.

Kindiki maintained that Mount Kenya should remain united, saying the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru communities have a long history of working together.

“My friend, let’s preach unity and reach out to all elders and preach unity; we need to be one as Gema,” he said.

In a video seen by the Star, Ruku returned the symbolic axe to the Mount Kenya elders.

The CS was subsequently handed a flywhisk by one of the elders.

The DP spoke during a meeting with elders from the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru communities at Kirigiti Stadium.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku after he received the flywhisk/SCREENGRAB

Kindiki also called for greater engagement with elders across the region.

He said the government would support elders by financing initiatives aimed at enabling them to engage young people and promote peace and cohesion.

“The government will support elders by ensuring they have means to fight alcohol and drugs as a way of preaching unity,” he said.

He said elders have a critical role in guiding the younger generation and ensuring that political differences do not escalate into divisions within the Mount Kenya region.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku handing over the axe/SCREENGRAB

Kindiki said the GEMA communities have always worked together and should not allow political differences to undermine their unity, peace and shared interests.

National Patron of Kiama Kia Ma, Kinyua Mwangi, also stressed the importance of unity in the Mount Kenya region, warning that attempts to divide the community could have serious consequences.

Mwangi said maintaining unity among the communities was crucial, arguing that division within Mount Kenya would be risky and could weaken the region’s ability to address issues affecting its people.

He called for greater cooperation among elders and communities, saying unity should remain a priority regardless of political differences.

The meeting brought together elders from the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru communities, with calls for them to take a leading role in promoting peace, engaging young people and strengthening cohesion across the Mount Kenya region.