Embu: Elders from the Mbeere Community in Embu County have resolved to support a pro-government candidate in the upcoming by-election for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat. The by-election was prompted by the appointment of Geoffrey Ruku as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes.
According to Kenya News Agency, more than 5,500 elders gathered in Siakago Town on Saturday and unanimously agreed to support the candidate who secures the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination ticket. The race has attracted eight aspirants, including former MP Muriuki Njagagua and Speaker of the County Assembly Josiah Thiriku. The elders believe that a pro-government candidate is the best option to continue the work that CS Ruku has done in the area over the past two years. They have pledged to mobilize the community in favor of this candidate.
The elders also view this support as a gesture to reciprocate the President’s appointment of Ruku to the cabinet, following the dismissal of J B Muturi, who also hails from the area. Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who attended the event, welcomed the unity among the elders and assured them that the government would not interfere with the by-election. He emphasized the administration’s respect for democratic processes, allowing residents to elect a leader of their choice without coercion.
Prof. Kindiki urged the community to rally behind the UDA candidate, suggesting that continued government support would lead to accelerated development in the region. He further assured those who do not secure the ticket will still be considered for government appointments, highlighting inclusivity and party unity.
He also announced plans by the government to resume several stalled infrastructure projects, attributing the delays to previous budget constraints. Key developments include the tarmacking of the Kanyuambora-Kamumu-Kageri road, expansion of the Kanyuambora and Kamata irrigation schemes, rural electrification efforts, and the planned upgrade of the Gikuyari-Kirie-Ishiara road to bitumen standards. Prof. Kindiki assured residents that the government had secured the necessary funds and pledged to complete all projects by 2027.
The elders hailed Ruku’s appointment as a significant milestone for the numerically small but professionally rich community, which often finds itself marginalized in national politics. CS Ruku noted that the unity of the elders reflects the wider community’s determination to remain aligned with the government’s national development blueprint. The date for the by-election is yet to be announced, but the race for the seat is intensifying.