President William Ruto’s loyalists in the Mt Kenya region are sounding the political alarm, claiming that allies from other regions are making it increasingly difficult to sell the President’s re-election bid.
They cite reckless public statements, ethnic insults, inflammatory remarks about the 2027 elections, unequal empowerment programmes and the failure to contain former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as “own goals”, factors fuelling growing resentment in the region which was instrumental in delivering Ruto’s 2022 victory.
Some of them have publicly spoken about manipulating the 2027 vote in Dr Ruto’s favour, while others have made ethnically charged threats.
Mounting frustrations culminated in a public statement released by over 40 elected leaders during a meeting in Naivasha, Nakuru County, last Thursday.
The MPs under the Mt Kenya Parliamentary Caucus lamented that these unresolved injustices were making it impossible to rally pro-government support in the region.
“We urge all our people in Mount Kenya and across the nation to reject the politics of hate, fear, intimidation and destruction. We call on everyone to channel their frustrations and energies into constructive engagement and to safeguard the peace of our beloved country. We assert categorically that our community, like all Kenyans, has the right of choice to belong to any political association we deem beneficial. We have exercised that right in choosing to work with the current government for the sake of unity and development. We are free citizens in a free country – and Kenya belongs to all of us.
“No amount of intimidation should be allowed to force us into surrendering our freedom to associate with our fellow Kenyans. Our people will work with whoever advances their interests and the national interest. We will not be confined to parochial politics or ethnic cocoons. The Mountain is open for partnerships with all who are willing to join hands in building Kenya,” the legislators’ statement said.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
According to The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri, these missteps are self-inflicted wounds.
“We are working hard to ensure Mt Kenya does not abandon this government. But some of our people must tame their mouths. You cannot build a president with hate speech and threats of vote-rigging or violence,” he said.
“Let us s project the President as peaceful, warm and development-oriented. We keep sabotaging ourselves right when we are about to break through. We are facing difficulty selling our success story, and it is time to call out those among us making our work harder,” he said.
The MP noted that Dr Ruto remains the top-rated candidate for 2027 and “internal sabotage must be addressed.”
On July 14, a group of Kiambu legislators, including Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku, Kabete MP Githua Wamachukuru, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and Gatundu North MP Elijah Kinyanjui demanded more disciplined messaging and a coordinated plan for selling the President’s agenda.
“We will not re-elect President Ruto based on fear or manipulation or stealing of votes. It must be on merit for tangible development between 2022 and 2027,” Mr Kawanjiku said.
On her part, Maragua MP Mary wa Maua, there could be some in the ruling coalition who are intentionally working to pit the president against Mt Kenya population.
Maragua MP Mary Wa Maua.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“I’m dealing with squatters who have waited over a decade for title deeds, but some in government are frustrating the process. Goodwill from voters is earned. We must stop the reckless talk and foolish actions,” she said.
“We have vandals and inciters roaming free. That has to stop if we are to do clean politics for the President,” he said
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, speaking during his US tour, said the Kenya Kwanza government is scared and disillusioned because its 2022 winning formula is falling apart.
“All this confusion, brutality, and panic is being caused by the growing resolve that come 2027, we will be having a brand new government in place. The situation is so dire that they’re now making the 2027 contest even harder for themselves,” the Democracy for the Citizens Party leader said.
