President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027 could face a serious setback in the Mt Kenya region, amid perceptions that some of his allies are employing self-serving strategies that leave room for abandoning him at a critical moment.
Several of the President’s loyalists have been noted using mother-tongue cultural parables and sayings that suggest support only up to 2027, with the possibility of decamping thereafter.
On December 14, 2025, when President Ruto worshipped at AIPCA Karure Church in Gatundu North constituency, Information and Technology Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo warned him that “these people can rip you off and leave you dry”.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Mr Kabogo later added that “the crown is only useful when worn, but once it falls it becomes scrap metal”. Similar metaphors have been used by other allies in the region, including comparisons of the President to a cow that must be milked before it runs dry in 2027.
Addressing women during an empowerment programme at Kandani Primary School grounds, Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina said “ikamagwo îrîa î njoku” (you milk the cow in the shed), implying that the President should first be tapped for development projects and other benefits. She added that “you cannot milk a cow while shouting at or beating it if you want maximum production”.
Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi I Nation Media Group
Such remarks appear to lend credence to claims by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua , who on December 9, 2025, said that more than 90 per cent of people around President Ruto were “joyriders” interested only in short-term benefits before abandoning him in late 2026.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a.
On December 13, 2025, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, while mobilising residents of Gatundu North to welcome the President the following day, urged them to “smear him with oil so that he gets happy”. She added that the President should be treated “like a king” because “he walks around with the national wallet… we make him happy, and he parts with something”.
Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge echoed the sentiment, saying opportunities should be seized “while this cow is still in the milking shed”. Musician and Ruto supporter Ngaruiya Junior described the President as “a cow dripping with milk” that would be foolish to abandon.
Lands CS Alice Wahome
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
On October 26, 2025, Lands CS Alice Wahome told Muruka residents in Kandara constituency that allies should remain focused on “reaping benefits in this government” as they wait to reorganise ahead of 2027. At the same time, several United Democratic Alliance (UDA) governors from Mt Kenya have stopped short of committing to supporting President Ruto’s re-election.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has openly ruled out backing him, citing the impeachment of Mr Gachagua as a betrayal. Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata says his 2027 position will be guided by voters.
Only Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru have clearly declared support for President Ruto’s re-election.
The President’s prospects are further complicated by infighting among his allies. In Murang’a, Ms Wahome is locked in a supremacy battle with Maragua MP Mary Wa Maua, while in Kiambu, Governor Kimani wa Matangi is embroiled in public disputes with Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and Ms Ng’ang’a.
Former Attorney-General Justin Muturi says tensions within the President’s Mt Kenya camp are nearing the surface, as some allies look for excuses to defect. Former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi told Nation that many vocal loyalists have little interest in supporting the President’s re-election, citing personal interests ranging from corruption-related pressure to access to mobilisation funds.
Another emerging fault line is competition among allies positioning themselves as key point persons for the 2027 campaign, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire, former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga, and Ms Waiguru all mentioned.
