Nakuru's abusive relationship with Mt Kenya region

The recent declaration by 48 members of parliament allied to the Mount Kenya region, to have the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the link person between the region and Executive, has reignited the debate on the position of Nakuru county in relation to Mt Kenya.

From the list of 48 MPs who signed in support of the Nyahururu declaration, at least six were said to come from Nakuru county among them Molo MP Francis Kuria Kimani, his Njoro and Bahati counterparts Charity Kathambi and Irene Njoki among others.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari distanced herself from the declaration, noting that she was not consulted on the agenda of the meeting to which she had sent apologies.

But the move has however attracted the wrath of other Nakuru leaders and residents who are opposed to the affiliation of the county to the mountain.

Their anger is informed by the historical marginalization of the county, especially when it comes to the sharing of the national cake.

Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri took a swipe at the MPs from the region who joined the leaders from Mt Kenya to come up with the declaration to alienate deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

Mr Ngunjiri argued that the leaders from Mt Kenya have only considered Nakuru as part of them for political mileage. but have never had the county’s interest at heart.

“Nakuru is in Rift Valley and our key interest is peace so who ever thinks we are part of Mt Kenya should tell us how that has helped us. As residents of Nakuru, we have our own unique problems which our brothers from Mt Kenya have never bothered to address including the numerous land disputes, the ethnic clashes among others,” says Mr Ngunjiri.

Former Ndundori MCA Steve Kihara argues that the geographical location of Nakuru is Rift valley and should never be considered as part of Mt Kenya.

“Can the MPs who attended the Nyahururu meeting tell us where Nakuru stands in the political supremacy fight between Mt Kenya East and West? Let us not be dragged in fights that do not help solve our problems,” says Mr Kihara?

Nakuru politician Assumpta Wangui on her part describes Nakuru as a diaspora county with communities from different parts of Kenya.

She wonders why a county with 47 tribes can be considered to be part of a region with one community.

“Nakuru is a cosmopolitan county and no region outside its borders should claim that Nakuru is their county. Our people and leaders can interact with other counties but cannot decide our position as a county,” says Ms Assumpta.

Businessman cum politician Maina Wakabura strongly opposes the association of the County to the Mt Kenya region, which he says has contributed to the marginalization of the county.

According to Mr Wakabura, Nakuru as a county has the numerical muscle to decide its own fate without having to rely on the decision of the other counties.

He blames the leaders from the county for failing to mobilise and place Nakuru in a position where it can negotiate for opportunities as a cosmopolitan county.

“The narrative that Nakuru is part of Mt Kenya has to change. This is because the counties from Mt Kenya have been using this narrative to negotiate their interest yet we receive a raw deal after the elections. The county overwhelmingly supported this government and ought to have been considered for the opportunities,” says Wakabura.

The debate first emerged in the run up to 2022 General Elections when Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui joined governors from Mt Kenya to declare support for the Azimio la Umoja one Kenya Presidential candidate Raila Odinga.