Build Back Better: Anticipated Limuru 3 Conference Convened

The highly anticipated Limuru 3 conference took place in Kabuku, Ngecha Kiambu county on May 17, 2024 with the agenda ‘One mountain, One Voice’. The event, convened by political parties inherent to the Mount Kenya Region, attracted multitudes among them party leaders, elders, youths and members of the Ameru, Aembu and Agikuyu communities.

The conference succeeds its predecessors, the infamous Limuru 1 of 1966 and the Limuru 2 conference convened in 2012, which brought together leaders from the three communities. Among the attendees of this year’s conference were NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba.

The main agenda of this event was discussing Mount Kenya region’s political future while addressing the status quo. Leaders called out the current taxing system, the cost of living and the proposed 2024/2025 Finance Bill while stressing the importance of the ideology of One Man, One Vote, One Shilling.

“If the proposed 2024 Finance Bill passes, all Kikuyus in business, be prepared to go home. They want to impose tax on the transportation of tea and coffee and zero rate sugarcane, but as long as we are in that parliament, that bill will not pass,” Githunguri MP, Gathoni wa Muchomba said.

Leaders also called out the government, accusing UDA MPs and MCAs of hiring youths from Mount Kenya to disrupt the meeting.

Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja hollered at the Kikuyu community, calling them unwise and poor for having leaders in the Attorney General’s office, Deputy President's office, KRA offices, Central bank and Chief justice positions who unquestioningly approve oppressive taxing systems.

“Call all these people and tell them the community is in trouble,” he said.

Martha Karua, speaking at the event, likened the current taxing system to the colonial system of hut tax.

“What we are saying is that we condemn the wastage of public funds. There is a pharaoh in Kenya and we are telling him to leave Mount Kenya people alone. We aren’t at war with anyone but we resist oppression,” she said.

She also rejected any formula that doesn’t consider population as a measure of funds allocation.

Chanting that screams can be heard from the mountain, attendees of the meeting vowed that in the unity of purpose, they shall come together to bring down a tyrant.