Murang’a senator Irungu Kang’ata has admitted that the divisive politics among Murang’a leaders are to blame for cancellation of visits by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Dr William Ruto.
Speaking on Monday morning on Inooro TV, Mr Kang’ata said the meetings were planned separately.
According to Mr Kang’ata, the plan for President Kenyatta to visit Murang’a County was hatched in May when the senator, alongside other leaders, went to receive a school bus at State House.
“The bishop was among those who had accompanied me and we had a chat with the President and this is when we invited him for the service,” he said.
But despite having that agreement, they had not been given official communication to confirm the President’s visit, the Murang’a senator said.
“His coming was confirmed on Thursday but unfortunately this also changed at the last minute,” said Mr Kang’ata.
Kang’ata said the President did not deliberately avoid visiting Murang’a, but had official duties to attend to.
But the senator could not explain why Mr Kenyatta has been cancelling his tours into the area that is perceived to be his stronghold.
He denied claims that the President was losing touch with people in Mt Kenya region, adding that there is so much that the government has done for the locals.
“All is not lost, I am sure the President will be coming soon. I am just urging the people to exercise patience,” he said.
In regard to DP Ruto’s visit, Kang’ata claimed that the team organizing his tour had also not informed local leaders.
By coincidence, the two leaders had their visits planned on the same day in neighboring constituencies.
The cancellation of the visit by the two has also angered the locals, who are now blaming their leaders over their divisive politics.
Clear lines have been drawn between the leaders who support Mr Kenyatta, Kieleweke and Tanga Tanga camps.
Kandara MP Alice Wahome and her Kiharu counterpart, Ndindi Nyoro, are staunch followers of the pro-Ruto Tanga Tanga movement.
On the Kieleweke side are: Peter Kimari, Ruth Mwaniki, Muturi Kigano and Nduati Ngugi.
The two factions have been flexing their muscles as they seek to validate their political leanings with 2022 succession politics in mind.
