Mt Kenya and Diaspora Elected leaders
Press statement
Embu, 30th November, 2019
We, the undersigned elected leaders from Mt. Kenya and Diaspora, have held a two-days retreat here in
Embu with twin aims:-
1. To interrogate the BBI report. We retreated to read, to discuss, to interrogate the report. Page by
page. To acquaint ourselves on what this report means for our region. To engage on the political
and economic implication of this report to our people and region. We were very thorough in our
analysis. We were open and frank in our discussion. We were unapologetic in holding positions
and defining the next steps for our people and region. We revisited issues raised in our last press
conference held on Thursday, 24th October 2019.
2. To take stock of where we are as a region and as a people. The challenges our people face; the
opportunities our people have and the aspirations of our people. This is a tradition we have now
formed to meet regularly on the issues that affect our people.
We hold as follows:-
a) We strongly encourage and urge our people -and indeed all Kenyans- to read the BBI report. As H.
E the President actually advised. We shall actively facilitate, mobilize, drive and steer local fora
across the region for our people to read, debate and engage on this report. We want our people
to read for themselves. We want them to freely and openly engage. As elected leaders we shall
take lead in these processes. That is our mandate. Our responsibility.
b) We shall look at BBI report largely from an economic eye. Such a national processes must bring
meaning to our people. On their milk. On their coffee. On potatoes. On pyrethrum. On their tea.
On their rice. On their tomatoes. On their miraa. On their livestock. On their security. Among many
others. Agriculture is the most important economic life-stay of Kenyans and therefore we hold
that agriculture should have an affirmative allocation and guaranteed minimum returns. Our
political architecture and the national reform process must have an economic bearing to our
people. That is what our people are demanding. That is the pressure of our people. That is what
ground is demanding! And our engagement shall strictly be guided by that. Because we listen to
our people.
c) BBI report has policy, legislative and constitutional angles. We strongly urge that government
agencies to pick up areas of policy and start implementing them. For example relevant
government agencies should start implementing policies around youth empowerment- that does
not need a law. It merely calls for serious and committed public servants. Why are pending bills
not paid for example; why are our youth not receiving the affirmative allocation in public tenders
as it ought to be? We demand our public servants to do their work- faithfully!
Many aspects of BBI report require ordinary laws, not constitutional amendment. Parliament is
the sole body constitutionally mandated to pass laws. We commit ourselves to drive legal work in
parliament moving forward. Together with other like-minded Members of Parliament across Kenya.
Indeed, we have formed different sub-committees to steer the various legislations in
Parliament starting immediately. We shall budget for these aspects in Parliament.
We strongly hold that any constitutional amendment in relation to BBI report should be Parliament
lead. On this, we further hold that:-
1. Our people are already overburdened. Our national resources should be spared from a national
referendum. It should be avoided. We can use the billions for our youth. For our coffee. For our
tea. For our milk. For our health. For Agenda Four programs. To support H.E the President
transformation program.
2. We must avoid a contentious, divisive national process. We must avoid a national process that
works against the very primary objective of BBI- the unity of our country. The BBI must not be
used for politics. The BBI must not be hijacked by evil people. This country is for all of us. If we
must go the referendum route, if at all, these broad values and perspectives must drive us. And
that referendum must be based solely on the issues raised in the current BBI report. A process
that unites us, not one that divides us. We strongly hold that the referendum should be conducted
alongside the 2022 general election.
3. If at all a referendum is the way to go, it must carry along everyone. We shall refuse a referendum
that will leave Kenya more divided. And while on that, and for avoidance of doubt, we shall refuse
another committee of experts. That is unnecessary. The Senator Yusuf Hajji task-force was a
competent team. They delivered a BBI report that now attracts broad national support. A report
that speaks to the aspirations of Kenya. Introduction of another committee of experts is
synonymous to introducing contention, division and hate.
In conclusion, we commit ourselves to continue meeting and engaging on the BBI Report and on issues
affecting our people in the coming days. We appreciate this is not an event but a journey into the
long-haul. We shall robustly, unapologetically and frankly engage on this as elected leaders from this region
Signed in Embu by
1. Hon Rigathi Gachagua.
2. Hon Moses Kuria.
3. Ndindi Nyoro.
4. Hon Purity Ngirichi.
5. Hon Pato Munene.
6. Hon Mariru
7. Hon mwangi Gichuhi
8. Hon Anthony Kiai
9. Hon Samuel Gachobe
10. Sen Susan Kihika
11. Hon Kabinga wa Thayu
12. Sen John Kinyua
13. Hon Wamaua
14. Hon Alice Wahome
15. Hon Mejja Donk
16. Hon Munene Wambugu.
17. Hon Githinji Gichimu
18. Hon Muchangi Karemba (
19. Hon John Muchiri
20. Hon Kago wa Lydia
21. Hon Jungle Wainaina
22. Hon Rahim Dawood
23. Hon Jonah Mburu
24. Hon Dr John Mutunga
25. Sen Captain Mithika Linturi
26. Sen Njeru Ndwiga (Host)
27. Hon Kimani Ichungwa
28. Hon Kathuri Murungi
29. Hon Faith Gitau
30. Hon Rahab Mukami
31. Hon Stanley Muthama
32. Hon Jayne Kihara
33. Hon Cecily Mbarire
34. Hon Jude Njomo
35. Hon Jane Wanjuki Thitima
36. Hon Beatrice Nkatha
37. Hon Kareke Mbiuki
38. Hon Kabeabea
39. Hon Kimani Ngunjiri
40. Hon Charity Kathambi
41.Hon David Gikaria
42. Hon Cate Waruguru
43. Hon Col Kingangi
44. Sen Isaac Mwaura
45. Hon John KJ Kiarie
46. Hon Githua Wamacukuru
47..Hon Kubai Kiringo
48. Hon Mike Muchira
49. Hon Muriuki Njagagua
50. Hon Kwenya Thuku
51. Hon Jeremiah Kioni
52.Hon Kimani Kuria
53. Hon David Kiaraho
54. Hon GK Kariuki
55. Hon George Theuri
56. Hon John Paul Mwirigi
57. Hon Rindikiri Mugambi
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