Gachagua Extends Olive Branch to Opposition Leaders in Mt Kenya Region

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has extended an invitation to dialogue with Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and Narc leader Martha Karua regarding the alleged planned Limuru III Conference.

During a recent interview on Kameme FM’s morning show, Gachagua revealed that he had only become aware of the meeting through the media and had not received a comprehensive briefing from the organizers. As a senior politician in the Mount Kenya region, Gachagua emphasized the significance of being kept informed about matters concerning the region. He expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with leaders regardless of their political affiliations.

“As the regional leader, it is my responsibility to convene such meetings. If they indeed have an agenda, my office is open and they are welcome to reach out to me,” Gachagua stated.

The Deputy President stressed that if he is convinced of the meeting’s intentions to promote peace throughout the Mount Kenya region, he will support it irrespective of political affiliation. This stance has been commended by political analyst Charles Mwangi, who views Gachagua’s willingness to involve the opposition as a positive step towards fostering unity in the region. Karua and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni recently met at Fiesta Hotel in Ruaka to strategize for the upcoming Limuru III conference on April 19.

The conference’s purpose is to address the challenges faced by the residents of Mount Kenya and emphasize the importance of unity in finding solutions. Kioni has reiterated the region’s crisis over the past two years, highlighting the crucial need for all leaders to come together and find solutions. Karua echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the Limuru meeting as a platform to discuss various socio-political issues that affect the community. She encourages the community to unite and deliberate on their future, citing the constitutional right for people with common interests to convene.

The divisions within the Mount Kenya region, exacerbated by the 2022 elections, have challenged their unity and future political outcomes. Mwangi praises Gachagua’s initiative, stating, “Gachagua’s move to engage the opposition in Mount Kenya is commendable and should be supported, being the senior politician in the region, he owes the right to talk and preach peace,”

Also today, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua issued an apology to Mama Ngina Kenyatta, the mother of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, for the rift that arose in 2022. Gachagua deeply regrets the lack of respect shown towards Mama Ngina during the intense political events of the previous national election.