Calls to unite Mt Kenya region dominate Kingori’s burial in Nyeri
Calls to unite the Mt Kenya region dominated the funeral of former Deputy Inspector General of Police King'ori Mwangi held in Ndugamano village in Tetu constituency Nyeri county on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
The funeral service was attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta among other leaders drawn from the mountain region.
Led by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga the leaders took the opportunity to make calls to unite the region saying they were stronger when united.
"I have told the former President to invite leaders for a goat-eating ceremony, I also informed him that you (Gachagua) would have wanted to be here but you were occupied and he was rushing for another event," Kahiga stated.
On his part, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said that he had no problem with Uhuru and that he was ready to unite the region.
The DP said that he was looking forward to meeting the former president as the political differences are now a thing of the past.
"I have no differences whatsoever with the former president as he is our leader, our son and our friendship has lasted for 17 years, we only fell out for two years due to political differences but they are now over and we need to unite as a mountain," the DP said.
Gachagua also extended an olive branch to all political leaders especially those in opposition saying that he had no problem working with them unless they thought otherwise.
"As a community, we must speak in one voice. Elections are now behind us so I am ready to work with all those from the region and if they want to stay on as opposition well it is within their rights to carry out the oversight role," the DP added.
Gachagua said the unity of leaders in the Mt Kenya region is paramount, he added that the community cannot make the mistake of dividing votes as it happened in the 1990s.
Kiambu senator Karungo wa Thang'wa also addressed the congregation and urged the deputy president to convene a meeting with the Mt Kenya leaders and also invite the former president and other leaders from the region.
"We are calling upon you our deputy president to convene a meeting for the Mt Kenya leaders and also invite our former president and all other leaders since we need to speak in one voice," he said.
Thang'wa regretted that the former Head of State was not given the position in the African Union (AU) yet he was in a better capacity to lead.
His sentiments were echoed by the Nyeri senator Wahome Wamatinga who said there was a need to unite the region.
On her part, nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Sabina Chege urged the leaders to forgive one another and speak in one voice.
"Let us forgive one another and speak in one voice, we cannot afford to hate one another, I'm calling upon the former president to not get tired of us but take us as his sons and daughters and give us advice whenever the need arises," she said.
In the same breath, Former Nairobi woman representative Racheal Shebesh called for unity in the region saying even if they are in opposition, they are tired of talking against each other and now want to talk to each other.
Earlier, leaders urged Gachagua to unite all leaders in the region including retired President Kenyatta saying that it's important for unity to prevail in the region.
Before he left for another function, Uhuru steered away from politics and only eulogised King'ori as a truthful career policeman who was great in his work for the nation.
When Gachagua rose to speak he said that he was looking forward to meeting Uhuru whom he had not seen for a while after parting ways politically two years ago.
