Nyeri, Kenya – June 5, 2025 — The Kikuyu Council of Elders, led by Chairman Wachira Kiano, has strongly opposed a recent move by former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga to form a security outfit named Jeshi, intended to protect Members of Parliament in the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking on the matter, Kiano dismissed Njenga as a “joker” and reaffirmed the community’s firm support for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The elders said Njenga’s proposal was both unnecessary and politically driven.
Njenga unveiled the formation of *Jeshi* on January 3, 2025, claiming the group would provide protection for leaders visiting the region. However, the Kikuyu Council of Elders rejected the idea, arguing that Mt. Kenya’s security needs are already adequately addressed by state security agencies.
“There’s no justification for forming such a group. We have the police and other government institutions responsible for protecting leaders and citizens alike,” said Kiano. “Introducing private militias risks destabilizing the peace we’ve worked hard to maintain.”
The elders’ firm stance underscores rising tensions between Njenga and allies of Rigathi Gachagua, who is currently mobilizing political support across Mt. Kenya in preparation for the 2027 general election.
The clash points to a deepening power struggle within the region, as various political forces compete to assert influence over the Mt. Kenya electorate in the lead-up to the polls.
By Kenyans