Be respectful to President Ruto during Mt. Kenya tour, Ngunjiri tells residents

Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has called on Mount Kenya residents to demonstrate maturity by warmly receiving President William Ruto.

Ruto is scheduled for a five-day tour of the region starting April 1, marking his first visit since the impeachment of his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, last year.

Ahead of President Ruto’s visit, former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has urged Mount Kenya residents to welcome him respectfully and refrain from any form of heckling, hooliganism, or disrespect.

He pointed out that the region contributed 47% of the total votes that secured Ruto’s presidency in 2022, emphasizing that such a significant support base deserves a fair share of development.

However, he stressed that this can only be achieved if the President is received cordially.

“Mount Kenya region gave Ruto 47% of the votes, and expectations for development are very high. I urge all leaders from the region to be patient and allow the President to outline his development plans,” Ngunjiri told the Star.

Previously aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Ngunjiri called on residents to exercise restraint and maintain peace throughout Ruto’s tour.

He also condemned the recent hooliganism witnessed in Nairobi following the President’s visit, describing it as a sign of political immaturity and intolerance.

“We saw what happened in Nairobi—some individuals took advantage of the situation to loot property. We do not want to see such incidents in Mount Kenya, as they would reflect poorly on our community,” he cautioned.

Ngunjiri further noted that Mount Kenya communities have a significant presence in other parts of the country, underscoring the importance of fostering peace and coexistence.

“Our people live harmoniously with other communities, and we should uphold that by promoting unity and peace,” he concluded.