Dissatisfied with rising costs of living and unfulfilled promises, former Kiambu MPs and opinion leaders have issued a stern warning to President William Ruto: lower the cost of living or face street protests and tax boycotts. The statement emerged from a Kiambu High School meeting aimed at uniting the county and demanding accountability from the national government.
This comes on the heels of a Karen meeting hosted by Raila Odinga and attended by Uhuru Kenyatta and some Kiambu leaders, where issues of regional unity and dissatisfaction with the current leadership were discussed.
Leading the charge, former Kiambu MP Jude Njomo and ex-Limuru MP Peter Mwathi outlined four key demands:
- Reduce Cost of Living: Failure to do so will result in mobilizing residents to refuse paying taxes.
- Return Mt. Kenya Projects: Allegedly diverted projects from the region must be reinstated.
- Scrap Housing Levy: The unpopular housing levy should be abolished.
- Protests if Demands Ignored: Should their demands fall on deaf ears, street demonstrations will commence.
Mwathi criticized the “hustler government,” accusing it of failing the people and oppressing ordinary citizens. He vowed to “liberate” the region by removing the current administration from power.
The leaders also condemned Mt. Kenya elected officials for neglecting their role of representing the electorate and aligning themselves with the Executive. They identified former President Uhuru Kenyatta, as the party leader and regional kingpin, as crucial for uniting the Mt. Kenya region and guiding the path forward.
Pauline Njoroge, a Jubilee party director, stressed the importance of grassroots restructuring to reclaim the party for the people. She emphasized using Jubilee as a united voice to address leadership concerns and regain public trust.
Overall, the Kiambu leaders’ message presents a united front demanding action from the national government. Their grievances range from the immediate issue of cost of living to broader concerns about unfulfilled promises and regional representation. The threat of protests and tax boycotts adds pressure on the administration to address their demands, while the focus on grassroots mobilization and party restructuring suggests a long-term strategy for change.
This development signifies growing discontent within Mt. Kenya, a key Ruto stronghold, and potentially foreshadows wider national challenges for the President as he grapples with economic hardships and regional discontent.
