Murang’a: Mt Kenya's hotbed for Uhuru succession

Murang’a County has become the theatre of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto’s power struggle in Mt Kenya in the run-up to the 2022 General Election.

Of the numerous DP’s tours to the region’s seven counties, the trips to Murang’a have stood out for their controversy and violence, like Sunday’s chaos that left two dead.

So restive has the region, which is home to freedom fighters and popular Kikuyu musicians, become, that the County Security Committee has profiled the rival political groups that are fuelling the crisis.

With their frosty relations, Murang’a has hosted the rare occasions the President and his deputy have shared the podium in Mt Kenya, in both instances, burials of legendary Kikuyu musicians.

Last year, the two attended the funeral of Benga musician John Ng'ang'a, popularly known as John De'Mathew, and in 2018, they were joined by ODM leader Raila Odinga at the burial of veteran musician Joseph Kamaru.

The county has become a powder keg for the political agitation gripping the region, which for the first time, since the last six elections, is at a crossroads: unlikely to field a presidential candidate in the upcoming polls and without a clear regional leader, with President Kenyatta retiring.

Exploit void

It is this void, and apparent discontent with an administration the region overwhelmingly voted for, that Dr Ruto, who is increasingly being portrayed as an outsider in government, is working to exploit, to the frustration of the President’s allies.

And the tension that has been simmering for some time has had flashes of political violence in recent times, which turned deadly on Sunday – two youths were lynched in Kenol town, on the outskirts of Thika, as rival Tangatanga and Kieleweke gangs clashed ahead of the DP’s arrival.

In May, last year, the DP had to cancel a prayer meeting scheduled in Kenol that was to be attended by dozens of MPs, reportedly following the intervention of the President. 

And on November 9, last year, President Kenyatta cancelled going to a church service in Kenol, although top government officials and his advance security had already arrived.

Dr Ruto had been forced to cancel a trip to Kandara the same Sunday to avoid a clash with the President’s visit.

Last week, there was fracas occasioned by politics in Nyakahura Primary School, the venue of a funeral service for five family members killed in a road accident.

And in March, chaos rocked a public meeting at Kinyoho Secondary School attended by Dr Ruto. Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria had stormed the meeting with his supporters, citing attacks on his performance by Tangatanga-allied leaders in an earlier function in Kandara.

A year ago, protests had rocked Murang'a town following the arrest of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro on accusations of storming a church in his constituency to protest the presence of Kieleweke politicians, led by nominated MP Maina Kamanda.

Police battled youths who had blocked Kenyatta Highway using burning tyres.

There are fears these incidents signal a time bomb as the elections draw nearer.

“Let us be very sensitive to lives and property even when we are engaging in the democratisation processes. As a father, I am sad to see sons and daughters of peasants killing each other in the name of politics,” says Murang’a County Commissioner Mohammed Barre.

Three political formations are fuelling the violence — Kieleweke allied to President Kenyatta, the DP’s Tangatanga supporters and a faction allied to the governor, who is linked to the Civic Renewal Party (CRP). The governor, who is serving his final term, is reportedly fighting to transform CRP as the region’s political vehicle to negotiate a place in the 2022 power line-up.

According to the County Security Committee, Kieleweke and CRP are united against Tangatanga.

The Kieleweke side has support from MPs Mary wa Maua (Maragua), Wangari Mwaniki (Kigumo), Peter Kimari (Mathioya), Sabina Chege (woman representative) and Senator Irungu Kang’ata.

Those allied to Tangatanga are Mr Nyoro and Kandara MP Alice Wahome.

Kangema MP Muturi Kigano is non-aligned and rails at political excesses by both factions.

“Murang’a County is being disturbed by the fighting spirit of multi-party heroes, the late Stanley Matiba and Charles Rubia,” says Mt Kenya political analyst Ngugi Njoroge.

Mr Njoroge says Murang’a was home to fierce freedom fighters and founding President Jomo Kenyatta, who is profiled as having been born in Kigumo.

“To cap it all, Murang’a is believed to be the cradle of the Agikuyu Community’s parents — Gikuyu and Mumbi — who are reported to have resided at Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga in Gaturi,” he says.

But for Mr Kang’ata, the political competition is taking a dangerous trajectory.

“We are taking these fights to reckless levels. Power contests should not lead to deaths and destruction of properties,” says the Senate majority whip.

He says all politicians spreading hate should be prosecuted.

Youths should be empowered to make a living in gainful enterprises and not waiting for hand-outs to cause political chaos, he added.

Freedom struggle

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who accompanied Dr Ruto during the Sunday service at Kenol AIPCA Church, says Murang’a is living up to its reputation during the freedom struggle.

“We are very cognizant of the great zeal Murang’a people are exerting in politics of the day. We know you are agitated given that Kiambu and Nyeri have produced presidents when your own Matiba was rigged out in 1992,” says Dr Khalwale.

Dr Khalwale, who supports Dr Ruto’s presidential bid, adds: “We do not advocate violence but we cannot take away your determination to shape the political course of this country and that of your county.”

Mr Barre says the County Security Committee is working in overdrive to ensure confrontations “that alarmingly are becoming too frequent and uglier” will be neutered.

However, Mr Nyoro says the government cannot be trusted to be an honest arbiter.

“Most of the incidents are State-ignited, where we have senior government officers sanctioning the violence to block DP Ruto from addressing Mt Kenya voters.”