The informal meetings organised by a number of ministers from Mt Kenya region after instructions from President Uhuru Kenyatta, have been moved from hotels to villages.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had tasked Trade and Industrialization CS Peter Munya to chair the development meetings but the alleged assassination plot against DP William Ruto led to the collapse of the initiative.
A letter purportedly from one of cabinet ministers claimed that Munya and three others were using the meetings to discuss how to eliminate Ruto. DCI has since dismissed the letter as fake.
But in a quick change of tactic, Munya and the team have taken the meetings to villages ahead of Uhuru's planned tour to Mt Kenya region in September.
“(The) Meru meetings (are) to discuss biashara, cooperatives and the Big Four Agenda,” said Munya, who was the first governor of Meru County.
On Saturday, the barazas were held in Kianjai and Mikinduri markets. On Sunday, the barazas moved to Laare and Mailitatu markets and on Monday 29th July, the baraza was held in Mutuati market.
And to stamp the authority, the team has invited Uongozi forum, lobby group that brings together professionals from the region under Prof Peter Kagwanja, to the initiatives.
“The promise we give to the Mt. Kenya people and the Diaspora is that the region will remain united despite the current scramble for its support,” said Prof. Peter Kagwanja.
Uhuru is keen to thwart rebellion in his own backyard, which has seen some leaders accuse him of allegedly sidelining the region in terms of development.