Ruto: I am still the king of the Mountain

President William Ruto has said that he does not need any political brokers to ascend the slippery but vote-rich Mt Kenya region, brushing off his acrimonious fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking on the slopes of Mt Kenya on his second day of the Central Kenya tour, President Ruto on Wednesday emphasised that he had grown his political roots in the region for over two decades, and the impeachment of Mr Gachagua in October last year had not severed his links with the voters.

“I have built my friendship with the people of the mountain for 20 years. I cannot allow a person without vision and wisdom to destroy my friendship with the people of this region,” he said. “I won’t allow anyone to come between us. We will walk together to move the country forward. Just as you respected me with your votes, I will also respect you.”

A landslide sweep of the populous Central Kenya vote swept President Ruto to power in the August 2022 General Election, but the region turned hostile towards him after the impeachment of Mr Gachagua in the aftermath of last year’s Gen Z-led protests.

In what appeared to be a response to the former deputy, who has declared himself the region’s political kingpin, President Ruto said he wouldn’t allow anyone to stand between him and the region’s residents.

On Monday, in a live media interview, Dr Ruto claimed that Mr Gachagua tried to blackmail him by demanding Sh10 billion ostensibly to “manage” the region’s politics for him.

During the tour, the President sought to address fears of economic marginalisation, pledging that his broad-based government would not sideline any part of the country.

The Mt Kenya region gave Dr Ruto about half of the 7.1 million votes that propelled him to power in a hotly contested poll that pitted him against ODM leader Raila Odinga, who has since become his political ally.

The President’s visit to different parts of Mt Kenya region has been largely peaceful, contrary to speculation in the weeks preceding the tour.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa scoffed at Mr Gachagua, quipping that the two days of the President’s tour had proved “who owns the mountain”.

“The President’s tour of the region has dealt a big blow to political cartels. They said the President can’t come to the mountain because they own it. However, the President has received an overwhelming welcome here in Meru, which is part of the mountain,” Mr Ichung’wa said.

Dr Ruto sustained his attacks on Mr Gachagua, accusing him of sabotaging his government.

“I had a lot of problems because my deputy was busy fighting me. He kept saying that my fate was sealed and that I couldn’t be helped. However, I am grateful that I now have a Deputy President who is helpful,” he said.

He defended Prof Kithure Kindiki saying former presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki as well himself, rose to the top seat by being “yes-men”.

“They have been accusing Prof Kindiki of being a yes-man, but I was also President Uhuru Kenyatta’s yes-man. Even when the going was tough, I still respected Uhuru as my boss,” he said.

He added: “We have the opposition and therefore we don’t need a Deputy President who is opposing me. We don’t have a shortage of opposition leaders who can keep the government in check.”

Prof Kindiki vowed to back President Ruto in delivering his agenda, adding that he “can’t be fooled into fighting the President”.

“I will work hard to support the President so that he serves Kenya well. Some foolish people were given an opportunity, but they focused on fighting the President. I am happy with the position and grateful to the people of Kenya and the President for appointing me. The office of Deputy President is not a small job,” Prof Kindiki said.

President Ruto maintained that he would continue uniting all Kenyans and would not be deterred by selfish politicians.

“I am not a visitor in Meru. I was here as MP, minister and Deputy President. I understand the leadership of Kenya and what is needed to move this country forward,” he said, adding that he was uniting all leaders through the broad-based government to fast-track development.

“We must unite the country, and we will unite all Kenyans irrespective of where they come from. We need the synergy to succeed as a country. I will ensure no part of Kenya, community or region is left behind,” Dr Ruto said.

In line with this, the President announced that he was in talks with former Cabinet secretaries Peter Munya and Mithika Linturi to bring them into government.

Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi and Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi defended the President, saying Meru leaders will not be lured into the opposition by Mr Gachagua.

“We will not be cheated into joining the opposition,” Mr Murungi said.

Mr Mwirigi said those accusing the President of lying should visit Igembe South to witness development projects.

President Ruto also rallied Meru residents to support the county’s new governor Isaac Mutuma, whom he described as an eloquent gentleman.

“I can now acknowledge that Meru County has a governor. There was confusion but the courts did their work and we have a Meru governor. The Meru people can attest how harmful divisions are. Divisions in leadership come with a lot of problems and this is why I am keen on uniting Kenya. Do not be divided, nor entertain politics of division,” the President advised.

He lauded Mr Mutuma for nominating a woman as his deputy, saying this was an indication that his government had no issues with women leaders.

“We have no problem with women. I advised the governor to get a woman as deputy and I am glad he heeded my advice,” Dr Ruto said.

Title deeds

The President launched sewerage works, construction of a Huduma Centre and a market in Maua town, commissioned a feedlot and presided over the issuance of 10,800 title deeds in Tigania West. He also flagged off a countywide rural electrification project worth Sh1.8 billion.

The issuance of title deeds in New Kiare adjudication section is expected to unlock the development of 220 megawatts of a wind and solar project dubbed the Meru Energy Park.

President Ruto said eight markets were being built in Meru while Sh900 million had been released to pay road contractors and revive stalled projects.

On miraa, President Ruto said he had already engaged the presidents of Somalia, Somaliland and Jubaland to enhance miraa prices.

“The cartels who are in the miraa business have three options. They have the option of stopping fleecing the farmer, going to jail or being eliminated. It is our intention to ensure miraa farmers earn higher prices like those in tea, coffee and sugar,” he said.

Prof Kindiki assured miraa farmers that the government is keen on enforcing the new prices gazetted by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. Farmers have protested that traders have failed to honour the prices.

Miraa cartel

“Just like we eliminated the cartels in sugar, coffee and tea sectors, I request the President to allow me to deal with the miraa cartel. I will not spare them,” Prof Kindiki said.

Speaking at Kagio market in Kirinyaga, Governor Anne Waiguru said the region was solidly behind President Ruto, adding that his administration had implemented reforms in the coffee and tea sectors to the benefit of farmers.

“This year, prices of coffee have increased, factories are paying between Sh120 and Sh140 per kilogramme of the coffee,” she said.

Ms Waiguru pleaded with the government to have Kagio town tarmacked.

“Roads in the town are in deplorable condition and I request President Ruto to have them improved so that my people don’t continue suffering,” she said.

Reporting by Gitonga Marete, David Muchui and George Munene.