NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has challenged leaders behind the emerging “Pasua Movement” in Mt Kenya East to come clean about what they want from the Kikuyu community, amid growing calls for a distinct political identity for the eastern bloc of the region.
Kuria questioned the motivation behind efforts to distinguish Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West, appearing to direct his remarks at Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who have been prominent voices in the debate over the region’s political interests.
“There is something mysterious with the Pasua Movement from Mt Kenya East. What is it you expect from Kikuyus? What is your ask?” Kuria said in a post on X on Saturday.
Kuria dismissed speculation that the push could primarily be about securing the Deputy President position in the next administration.
“And do not tell me its about the Deputy President position because we can not force a Presidential candidate on whom to pick as a running mate,” he said.
He added that the current Deputy President, Kindiki, already has the support of the Kikuyu community and that the question of who occupies the position in a future administration cannot be dictated by a particular community.
“Currently we have one in office and we fully support him. The choice of the next one is not in our hands. That decision is above our pay grade,” Kuria said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of an increasingly vocal campaign by leaders from Mt Kenya East for greater recognition of the region, with Ruku among those pushing for the eastern counties to assert a distinct political voice.
Kindiki, however, has continued to advocate for unity within the wider Mt Kenya region.
In July, he called on leaders to resist efforts to divide the community and urged former Governor Kiraitu Murungi to engage retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on the need to maintain Mt Kenya unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The debate has exposed growing political tensions over how Mt Kenya should organise itself ahead of the 2027 elections. While proponents of the East-West distinction argue that Mt Kenya East has historically not received commensurate political recognition and development, opponents fear that the campaign could weaken the region’s collective bargaining power.
Kuria appeared to reject the idea that Kikuyu leaders should be expected to make commitments over future political positions, particularly the Deputy President slot.
“Cut us some slack please,” he said.
