Political differences should not turn Mt Kenya into a zone of confrontation, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said, urging leaders and supporters to embrace tolerance as the 2027 General Election approaches.
Kindiki said communities in the region must remain united despite competing political views, warning that political rivalry should not be allowed to create divisions or interfere with meetings organised by rival parties.
Speaking on Saturday while addressing UDA polling station agents from across Embu County at Nembure in Manyatta Constituency, Kindiki called on politicians to approach competition with maturity and respect.
“Politics is not about noise or insults. It is about delivering to the people that elected you and respecting everyone, including your juniors,” Kindiki said.
He said political parties had the freedom to organise rallies and mobilise their supporters, but urged their members not to engage in actions that could trigger chaos or disturb peace.
“I urge the people of UDA that when people in the opposition hold their meetings, you should not go and disrupt them. Let them hold their meetings peacefully, say what they have to say, and, when they are done, go home,” he said.
The Deputy President also sought to assure residents that political disagreements would not destroy the longstanding relationship between communities in Mt Kenya.
“We will not allow our communities to be divided. The communities of Embu, Mbeere, Meru, and the Kikuyu are one community. We are one nation, one mountain, and one people, and we will remain that way,” he said.
Kindiki further pointed to attempts by leaders from Mt Kenya East and West to engage and rebuild a common political position. He said the region had for years acted together and should not allow present political differences to weaken that unity.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire joined Kindiki in calling for unity, while condemning the use of violence in political contests.
Mbarire criticised leaders accused of promoting violence, saying political disagreements should not be handled through intimidation or confrontation. She maintained that both politicians and voters should be free to exercise their democratic rights without being intimidated.
Embu County Assembly Speaker Josiah Thiriku also rejected violent politics, saying there was no place for violence in the mountain's political affairs.