Kikuyu Elders Initiate Process to Reconcile Ruto and Uhuru

Elders from the Kikuyu community have initiated a process aimed at reconciling President Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kikuyu Council of Elders, who are leading the push for a truce between the two former allies, have proposed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as the likely person to spearhead the mediation process.

Speaking during special New Year’s prayers held at Ol' Kalou aboretum grounds, Nyandarua County, the council’s Chairperson Wachira Kiago said the reconciliation seeks to end political divisions that currently play out in the open among leaders from the Mt. Kenya region.

"It is our mandate as leaders to unite the different communities in the country. As we head to the new year, our first issue will be to unite the former president Uhuru Kenyatta and the new president William Ruto,” Kiago said.

The elders first want Gachagua to bury his differences with Kenyatta before he leads the reconciliation process.

"These are the first people who should also unite as we go ahead with other communities. The new year will be a new dawn for this country," he added.

Another Kikuyu elders’ association Kiama Ki Ama has also backed the move to reconcile Ruto, Kenyatta and Gachagua. The three leaders fell out ahead of the 2022 general election in which Kenyatta supported Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

"For the country to become one, Uhuru, Rigathi and Ruto should show us the way. We will be at the forefront of making them at peace in the next year. This is the only way that we can develop" said its chair Ndung’u Gaithuma