In April 2022, the Meru Council of Elders commonly referred to as Njuri Ncheke endorsed Kiraitu Murungi as their preferred gubernatorial candidate in the August 9, General Election.
The council also endorsed Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga for the presidency.
However, all the candidates the council endorsed lost in the just-concluded General Election.
For instance, outgoing Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi lost to Kawira Mwanga while former Prime Minister Raila Odinga lost the presidency to William Ruto according to results announced by IEBC.
As such, the Njuri Ncheke on Tuesday, August 23, apologized to Meru Governor-elect Kawira Mwangaza for endorsing her bitter rival Kiraitu Murungi.
The council’s secretary general Josephat Murangiri said they regret their past mistakes and insults towards her and assured her of their support as she forms the next government.
“The first Meru Governor, I want to thank her and assure her that we as Njuri Ncheke will work with her as is our policy to work with the reigning County government,” Murangiri said.
The Council further dispelled rumors that they had thrown their weight behind President Uhuru Kenyatta’s preferred candidate Raila Odinga.
The elders said they were just blessing him to request Meru community votes.
“We did not give Raila votes from the Meru people. We gave him permission to talk to the people and President-elect William Ruto did not come here for us to deny him. If he comes we will permit him too,” he added.
The elders further urged Kenyans to maintain peace as the Supreme Court continues with its work stating that they will work with whoever will be declared the President-elect.
“If Ruto becomes the next President, we will work with him… All Kenyans are Njuri Ncheke’s children,” they said.
