By Gerald Mutethia
The office of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki appears to be playing a growing role in elevating Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi’s National Ordinary People Empowerment Union (NOPEU) across Mt Kenya East as the 2027 General Election draws closer.
Gideon Kimathi, the DP’s Director of Protocol, has emerged as a key figure in grassroots mobilisation for the party in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties. Through a series of empowerment forums and political engagements, Kimathi has been urging residents to rally behind NOPEU and support its broader political mission.
Speaking during a meeting with NOPEU aspirants at the party’s regional headquarters in Meru, Kimathi encouraged the Ameru community to embrace the party’s expansion, describing its rise as a notable political shift. More than 300 aspirants from Meru and Tharaka Nithi attended the engagement one of several regional activities shaping the party’s 2027 roadmap.
“Building a party from the ground up, one that complies with regulations, gains visibility, strengthens its structures, and attracts members until it secures parliamentary representation is no small feat,” he noted.
“NOPEU has already achieved national status through Hon. Mpuru Aburi’s seat.”
Aburi, the party leader, pushed back against the notion that the Meru region must always align with dominant political blocs, insisting the community is ready to chart its own path.
“The era when Meru voters simply followed the direction of the larger Kikuyu community is over. It’s time we back our own Ameru vehicle, NOPEU,” he said.
NOPEU brands itself as a people-driven movement and has announced plans to field candidates for all elective positions except the presidency.
Aburi described the meeting as a strategic moment in strengthening the party’s grassroots network.
“This forum represents another important step as we ready both our party and our people for what we expect to be a decisive and transformative election,” he said.
He further pledged transparent nomination processes and assured women, youth and emerging leaders of a fair shot within the party.
Aburi welcomed the rising interest from aspirants seeking NOPEU tickets, saying it reflects increasing public confidence in the movement.
“To those who doubted us or dismissed our efforts, be prepared. The ordinary citizen is awakening, and NOPEU is their platform. The 2027 election will redraw our region’s political landscape,” he declared.
He urged supporters to maintain unity and sustain mobilisation efforts as the election nears.
The Meru meeting forms part of a broader series of regional consultations that the party says will shape its national campaign strategy ahead of 2027.
