EMBU, Kenya – A day after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku made controversial remarks proposing the division of the Mount Kenya region into Eastern and Western blocs to ‘liberate’ the Eastern side, political leaders have come out strongly to condemn what they term reckless and dangerous sentiments that threaten national unity.
Speaking to Y News, Joshua Mugo Kanake, the DCP Chairperson in Embu County, strongly criticised Ruku’s remarks, describing them as ironic and deeply divisive.
Kanake pointed out that leaders who actively pushed for the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on accusations of tribal politics, are now the same individuals advancing narratives that risk splitting the Mount Kenya region along regional lines.
“It is ironic to see leaders like Ruku claim that Gachagua was impeached for being tribal, yet they are now openly pushing narratives to divide Mount Kenya into Eastern and Western regions. This is political hypocrisy of the highest order,” Kanake said.
Kanake accused Ruku of manipulating ethnic emotions for political survival, arguing that such leaders deliberately mislead Kenyans to turn against one leader on tribal grounds while freely deploying the same ethnic cards for their own political benefit.
The DCP Embu Chair further called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to urgently intervene, warning that Ruku’s remarks could inflame tensions, deepen divisions among communities in the Mount Kenya region, and spill over into the 2027 General Election.
“These are dangerous statements that can easily ignite tribal rivalry and bad blood. They do not reflect the conduct expected of a national leader,” he said.
Public CS Geoffrey Ruku laments that Kikuyu dominated counties are more developed than Mt Kenya East. “Kuna Jamii inatumia wengine vibaya.”
Kanake also urged President William Ruto to take responsibility for the tone and direction of his administration, insisting that leaders who promote division undermine the very foundation of national cohesion.
“If President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government are serious about cohesion and integration, then leaders who divide Kenyans should not be trusted with public office. The country needs leaders who unite, not those who fracture communities for political gain,” Kanake said.
Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku Fuels Push to Split Mt. Kenya Into East and West: “We Are Tired” ynews.digital/governance/pub…
