Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has dismissed the planned coronation of National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi as Mt. Kenya spokesperson.
Waiguru said the ritual will not help Muturi attain political popularity in the region.
She said that the much-anticipated ceremony to enthrone Muturi has not been endorsed by all Mt. Kenya leaders and even residents.
“While one cannot begrudge Speaker Muturi and others of their desire for some form of enthronement, without consultations and consensus with the leaders and the people of Mt Kenya such enthronements have little meaning politically,
“These ceremonies will not give him an upper hand because the people of Mt. Kenya never had cultural kingpins and spokespersons until the colonialists came and installed the generally unpopular paramount chiefs,” said the former devolution CS.
According to the county boss, Muturi cannot be crowned as the region’s spokesperson as president Uhuru is still acting in that capacity.
“Ultimately Speaker Muturi and others seeking votes from Mt Kenya and elsewhere will have to go to the ground and seek votes from the only legitimate determinants of leadership, the people,
“In the meantime, it must be remembered that as a political community our leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta has not vacated his seat and culturally we don’t inherit one when they are still alive,” she added.
IBesides Anne Waiguru, other Mt Kenya leaders including Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth have dismissed the planned ritual.
While opposing the move, Wa Iria said that he will not allow any political event to be held at the Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine in Muranga county, since it is a sacred place.
He also noted that there cannot be another regional spokesperson when President Uhuru Kenyatta is still in office.
However, the elders in charge of Muturi’s crowning on Friday, May 22, said that the ceremony will continue as planned.
Muturi has successfully undergone the first part of the ritual.
He was in an 8-day seclusion, where he ate special food and avoided setting his eyes on women and any man who can sire children.
The only people he has been interacting with are the elders who are preparing him for the big event on Saturday, May 23.
“It is a moment of self-reflection…you go down the river and observe moments of reflection and look at issues affecting the country…it is a great moment,” Muturi said after completing his seclusion period.
