Senator Wamatinga calls on Mt Kenya leaders to form a single regional party

Senator Wahome Wamatinga of Nyeri has emphasized the importance of leaders from the Mt. Kenya region rallying behind political parties deeply rooted in the area. Wamatinga suggests that the current political tensions could have been avoided if this approach had been taken in the lead-up to the 2022 general elections.

According to Wamatinga, the absence of a unified political party may be a contributing factor to the current disputes among different leaders in the region. He expressed the view that, despite the region overwhelmingly supporting the ruling party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the last election, it would be better if the area had its own distinct political party, similar to other regions in the country.

“As a community, it is good to have a party that unites us; a party that is like our political umbrella that helps us speak with one voice. My advice is that as we approach 2027, this region should have a party that gives it political identity,” stated Wamatinga in a recent radio interview.

His remarks come amid political rivalry between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu). In the August 9, 2022 elections, the region overwhelmingly voted for the UDA party, aligned with the Kenya Kwanza faction.

Recently, some leaders in the region have complained about being “excluded” from matters concerning the party’s crucial operations. Notable figures expressing such sentiments include Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri County.

However, Wamatinga believes that the presence of a single political party will restore the political unity that existed in the region during the eras of former presidents Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, (late) Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta.

“During the time of those leaders, this region was under parties like the Democratic Party (DP), The National Alliance (TNA), among others,” remarked the senator.