President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto in a past campaign rally. [Photo: PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has received a major boost in his bid to serve for a second term in the country's top office.
This is after Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders unanimously endorsed the Jubilee Party candidate as their preferred presidential hopeful in the general elections slated to be held early next month.
Led by chairman Linus Kathera and Secretary General Josphat Murangiri, the council vowed to campaign vigorously for the President to ensure he defeats his rival the National Super Alliance (NASA) leader, Raila Odinga, by a wide margin to avoid a run-off.
“We have made our stand as Ameru elders to support President Uhuru re-election owing to his impressive development track record for the last four years he has served as the Head of State,” said Murangiri speaking at Nchiru shrines on Saturday.
The declaration by the elders is a blow to the opposition alliance which has been making forays in the larger Meru region seeking to gain support in the area perceived to be a Jubilee stronghold.
A poll which was conducted a month ago by a Meru vernacular TV station, Weru TV, showed that 67% of Ameru will vote for Raila while 33% will back Jubilee leader President Kenyatta.
NASA point man in Meru is Prof Isaiah Kindiki, brother to Leader of majority in the Senate Prof Kithure Kindiki.