Members of Parliament from the Mount Kenya region have raised concern and condemned the recent wave of violent protests that have left behind a trail of destruction, deaths, and economic losses.
Speaking in Naivasha, Nakuru County, over 40 lawmakers under the Mount Kenya Parliamentary Caucus said no cause, political ambition, or grievance, however legitimate, should ever come at the cost of innocent lives.
“As we speak, families are mourning their loved ones, businesses lie in ruins, and whole communities are nursing deep wounds, both visible and invisible. This is not the Kenya we want,” said Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie while reading a joint statement.
While condoling with affected families, the MPs said the violence had trampled on the dignity and livelihoods of ordinary people, caught in what they termed the crossfire of political irresponsibility.
They vowed to do everything in their power to prevent such incidents from happening again. Kiarie said the violence and mayhem recently witnessed in parts of the region were instigated by “reckless, selfish politics” that had left deep scars.
He noted that acts of arson and looting had destroyed businesses relied upon by Mount Kenya residents, worsening youth unemployment and discouraging investment in the area.
“Enough is enough. We note with utter disgust the attempted attacks on critical economic facilities in Mount Kenya,” he stated, while reading a joint statement on behalf of the regional MPs.
Without naming individuals, he questioned why anyone would incite the destruction of enterprises that provide jobs and feed families, warning that such actions only erode the region’s economic strength and future prospects.
The MPs demanded thorough investigations into the chaos, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those directly involved, as well as the exposure and accountability of those who planned and financed the violence.
“There can be no sacred cows. Kenya is a democracy governed by the rule of law – no one is above it. We cannot allow a few agents of chaos to hold our nation hostage,” Kiarie said, adding that leaders must safeguard the region’s future.
They pledged to resist and defeat what they called a “toxic brand of politics” that threatens the aspirations of future generations.
The legislators referenced the development legacy of President Mwai Kibaki, whom they described as a son of the Mountain and one of Africa’s most respected statesmen, saying his achievements were once nearly derailed by hate speech, reckless politicking, and ethnic division.
“We must learn from history and pull back from that dangerous brink. Never again shall we allow personal egos and dangerous rhetoric to burn down the very fabric that holds us together as a nation,” he said.
While expressing confidence in the government’s direction, the MPs affirmed that Mount Kenya, like every other region, has the right to associate politically as it deems fit.
The lawmakers, allied to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, said they had exercised that right by choosing to work with the current government for unity and development.
“We are free citizens in a free country – and Kenya belongs to all of us. No amount of intimidation should be allowed to force us into surrendering our freedom to associate with our fellow Kenyans,” Kiarie emphasized.
He added that they would work with any leaders who advanced both the region’s and the country’s interests, and would not be boxed into parochial or ethnic politics.
The Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to defending the interests of the Mountain and protecting the rights of their electorate, saying they would continue working with national leadership to ensure promises made to the people were delivered.
Despite the current challenges, Kiarie said the Mount Kenya region remains optimistic that continued stability and focus will see the Kenya Kwanza government deliver its pledges.
“The projects to improve infrastructure, create jobs, lower the cost of living, and uplift our farmers and businesses will materialize. Mount Kenya will receive its fair share of development, as is already happening, and more. We will not rest until the lives of our people are improved in tangible ways,” he said.
The MPs urged residents in the region, and across the country, to reject what they termed politics of hate, fear, intimidation, and destruction, and instead channel their frustrations and energy into constructive engagement that preserves national peace.