Don't appoint Jacob Kaimenyi in new Cabinet, Njuri Ncheke tells Uhuru Kenyatta

A section of Njuri Ncheke elders have said they will hold demonstrations if President Uhuru Kenyatta re-appoints Lands CS Jacob Kaimenyi in his Cabinet.

The elders accuse Prof Kaimenyi of causing divisions in the council and say he has not performed to their expectation.

LOBBY

This comes after lobby groups from Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties urged President Kenyatta to retain Prof Kaimenyi and other principal secretaries from the community when he forms his new government.

The Ameru Professionals Association and Mount Kenya Youth Caucus said the Lands minister has performed well.

But addressing journalists at the Nchiru Shrine, Njuri Ncheke chairman Linus Kathera and Secretary Josphat Murangiri said Prof Kaimenyi had nothing to show for his tenure in the Education and Lands ministries.

“We condemn calls by some groups that the president should retain Prof Kaimenyi in the Cabinet. No one should dictate to the president who should be appointed because he knows those who have performed well,” Mr Murangiri said.

DIVISION

The two elders, however, said the president could appoint to the Cabinet any other professional from Meru and Tharaka-Nithi.

They accused the CS of causing divisions in the council by supporting a splinter group led by Paul M’ithinkia, who the elders declared an outcast.

READ: Lobby groups want Kaimenyi retained

“Njuri Ncheke elders cannot favour anyone but we can review someone’s record. There are many professionals in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi qualified to serve Kenya as Cabinet Secretaries. Prof Kaimenyi has failed in his duties because residents of Meru remain without title deeds,” Mr Murangiri said.

Mr Kathera, who led the elders to denounce Prof Kaimenyi in May this year, said all elders will be meeting on Saturday to make their stand known.

“The only legacy that Prof Kaimenyi can be remembered for is causing divisions in Njuri Ncheke. If he is re-appointed in the Cabinet, all elders will demonstrate to ensure the president listens to us,” Mr Kathera said.

LOGGERHEADS

Prof Kaimenyi has been at loggerheads with a section of elders after divisions led to the formation of two splinter groups following a leadership row.

In 2015, Mr Kathera’s group ‘cursed’ Prof Kaimenyi, accusing him of demeaning the council. He was later cleansed.

In May this year, Prof Kaimenyi was ‘cursed’ again and accused of endorsing the rival group of elders.

But Prof Kaimenyi has maintained that he supports the group, which is registered at the Registrar of Societies.

Various groups and leaders have been making statements to push for the appointment of specific individuals to the government.