Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi has distanced himself from a viral online statement that appeared to endorse the division of Mt. Kenya East from Mt. Kenya West.
The former National Assembly Speaker asserted that he neither authored, signed, nor approved the document, and that his signature on it was forged by unknown individuals.
He labeled the circulating statement as fake and fraudulent, cautioning Kenyans, political leaders, and media houses against treating it as a legitimate communication.
Muturi also rejected the signature appearing on the document, insisting it had been affixed without his knowledge or consent.
“I have taken note of a document being circulated on social media and other platforms, purporting to be a joint press statement by leaders from Mt. Kenya East and bearing my name and signature,” Muturi stated.
“I wish to categorically state that this document is fake and fraudulent. I did not author it, I did not sign it, and I did not consent to its publication or circulation. The signature attributed to me has been forged."
Muturi further accused unnamed government actors of using misinformation and propaganda to sow divisions among opposition leaders and manipulate public opinion.
The disputed document presented itself as a joint statement by leaders from Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi, dated September 2, in Nairobi.
It claimed that Mt. Kenya East had grown frustrated with what it described as years of political and developmental disparities between the eastern and western sides.
It further alleged that Mt. Kenya East—comprising counties such as Meru, Embu, and Tharaka-Nithi—had delivered votes in elections but received fewer appointments, tenders, and strategic development projects compared to Mt. Kenya West, which includes counties like Murang’a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Nyandarua, and Laikipia.
The statement also criticized what it termed selective political outrage and tokenism, citing the replacement of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with Kithure Kindiki. It further challenged Gachagua's political ambitions and rejected any move to dissolve existing parties or fold them into his Democratic Citizens Party (DCP).
“We must also speak to the selective outrage over the impact of the new law. The noise was loud, but it conveniently ignored that Mr. Gachagua was replaced by Mr. Kithure Kindiki, a son of Mr. Kenyatta, a man very big and qualified as those who came before him,” read part of the fake statement.
It claimed that leaders from Mt. Kenya East wished to independently determine their political direction in 2027 and reserved the right to pursue separation. The purported signatories included Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku, former Agriculture CS Peter Munya, Justin Muturi, Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) leader Lenny Kivuti, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, former Governor Mithika Linturi, and former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi.
The statement comes amid growing calls, particularly from Mt. Kenya West, led by CS Geoffrey Ruku, who has been advocating for the split of the two regions—a stance that has drawn the attention of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission over hate speech concerns.
Through this divide, Ruku has been pushing for Deputy President Kindiki to retain his position, a matter that has fueled significant tension within the broad-based coalition, including the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
