The rivalry between Governor Isaac Mutuma M'Ethingia and former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi could split the Igembe vote and hand the Meru governorship to a candidate from another region, Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi has warned.
Kathuri urged Igembe residents to unite behind Mutuma in the 2027 General Election, saying the region risked losing the seat if its leading politicians proceeded to compete against each other.
He questioned why two senior leaders from Igembe were seeking the same position instead of reaching an agreement and presenting a united front.
"I am shocked that Igembe people seem to be joking. Why field two gubernatorial candidates for one position when one of you is already in power? You are fighting for one position instead of agreeing and uniting to retain the seat in 2027," Kathuri said.
He spoke at KK Itama in Igembe North after the finals of a football tournament sponsored by his Kamashinani Foundation in Antuambui Ward.
Both Mutuma and Linturi hail from Igembe, with Linturi having declared his intention to challenge the governor in the 2027 polls.
Former Meru Governor Peter Munya is also among politicians positioning themselves for the county's top seat.
Kathuri said the emerging contest could divide Igembe's political base and allow a candidate from Imenti or Tigania to take advantage of the split.
"If this continues up to the ballot, you may lose the seat to Imenti or Tigania. It is illogical to have two Igembe leaders competing for the same position," he said.
The Senator said he had abandoned his own ambitions to contest the governorship to give Mutuma adequate time to implement and complete projects initiated by his administration.
"We cannot allow a good, visionary and development-oriented leader like Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia to govern Meru County for only two years. Igembe must wake up and reason. You must come out in large numbers and vote for Mutuma to serve for another five years," Kathuri said.
He said his decision to back Mutuma was informed by the need for continuity in county development, urging residents to assess the governor based on projects delivered during his first term.
The remarks add a new dimension to the emerging 2027 gubernatorial contest, with the battle for the Igembe vote expected to be critical in determining who succeeds in securing the county's top seat.
