President William Ruto convened a significant gathering at State House, bringing together Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) aligned with the Kenya Kwanza coalition, in anticipation of the forthcoming grassroots election slated for the following month.
The meeting, held on Monday morning, aimed to foster dialogue between the Executive and grassroots leaders, as noted in a statement issued after the session by the Head of State.
"We continually engage with grassroots leaders to expedite the realization of our nation's development agenda," emphasized President Ruto.
The gathering, attended by prominent figures within the coalition, served as a pivotal juncture for Kenya Kwanza leadership and MCAs as they strategize under President Ruto's leadership for the 2027 re-election bid.
Among the key attendees were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Council of Governors Chairperson and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, and Senator Aaron Cheruiyot.
A preliminary communique from United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala outlined the meeting's objectives, focusing on assessing the government's performance since Kenya Kwanza assumed power.
The session commenced promptly at 7:00 am, with the caucus slated to deliberate on the accomplishments of the Kenya Kwanza administration and discuss forthcoming coalition activities, as per the invitation extended to the MCAs.
The grassroots elections, initially scheduled for December 9, 2023, faced delays attributed to ongoing coalition deliberations, prompting speculation of internal discord.
In a bid to accommodate diverse voices within the coalition, Kenya Kwanza leadership resolved to hold the elections across three separate dates in April this year.
However, amidst these preparations, discontent surfaced among some Kenya Kwanza leaders from the Mt Kenya region, affiliated with Amani National Congress (ANC).
These leaders voiced grievances over perceived marginalization in revenue distribution, despite contributing significantly to the coalition's electoral success in the August 2022 polls.
Their concerns centered on the alleged failure to receive a proportionate share of funds, despite their pivotal role in bolstering the coalition's presence in Mt Kenya during the campaign period.