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Ruto Sagana meeting reveals new plot to woo Mt Kenya
President William Ruto with UDA chairperson Governor Cecily Mbarire (left) and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga when the Head of State hosted UDA grassroots leaders from Nyeri County at Sagana State Lodge, in Nyeri on January 17, 2026.
What you need to know:
- President Ruto pledged to complete stalled projects from the Uhuru Kenyatta era and expand those initiated by his administration.
- Ruto traced his relationship with the mountain from the time of the late President Kibaki’s reign when he was Agriculture Minister.
President William Ruto on Saturday unveiled a renewed political push to reclaim Mt Kenya support ahead of the 2027 General Election, anchoring his strategy on development delivery, inclusivity and grassroots mobilisation.
Speaking at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri before more than 17,000 grassroots leaders—many of them newly elected UDA officials—Dr Ruto pledged to complete stalled projects from the Uhuru Kenyatta era and expand those initiated by his administration, dismissing claims that the region was being side-lined following the impeachment of former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
He announced increased funding for key infrastructure, including Sh4 billion, 700 kilometres Mau Mau roads—an additional Sh2 billion for a further 500km-road plan—and a Sh1 billion upgrade of the Nyeri referral hospital, framed his ODM outreach under the broad-based government plan as a unifying national project, and urged Mt Kenya voters to reject a return to ethnic politics.
President William Ruto and UDA Party leaders when the Head of State hosted UDA grassroots leaders from Nyeri County at Sagana State Lodge, in Nyeri on January 17, 2026.
Politically, the President is countering Gachagua’s narrative of betrayal and underdevelopment by leaning on visible projects, economic reforms, and a revived UDA grassroots network to stabilise waning regional support.
The strategy also involves deploying Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to consolidate gains, as demonstrated by UDA’s Mbeere North by-election win.
On Saturday, President Ruto told the grassroots leaders that any claims of isolation of Mt Kenya were baseless, adding that each part of the country would get its share of resources since “we have come up with a strategy to bake a bigger national cake that will benefit all Kenyans.”
“We will agree with your leaders on the roads that need to prioritized so that we ensure there is inclusiveness in the allocation of resources,” he said.
The President was addressing over 17,000 grassroots leaders in Nyeri county, in what is being seen as efforts to consolidate Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Part of the group were 11,480 officials elected during last week’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) polls in 574 polling stations in Nyeri county.
The delegation also comprised MPs, MCAs and 7,000 residents including opinion and church leaders and elders, community leaders and members of other interest groups.
The President traced his relationship with the mountain from the time of the late President Mwai Kibaki’s reign when he was Agriculture Minister to his tenure as Uhuru Kenyatta’s deputy President, saying he was determined to maintain the relationship.
Ruto's development projects
“I came to the mountain as a minister in Kibaki’s government and when I was Uhuru’s deputy President, I launched projects and represented my former boss. I launched construction of roads… we built churches together with our friendship spanning over 20 years…”
“And then somebody comes around and starts singing oooh one term, Kasongo (in reference to his nickname) must go, no way, those are day dreams. I will never abandon the people of the mountain because of such nonsense,” the President said.
He appealed to the residents of the mountain to stick with him as he crafts an agreement with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying negotiations with the late Raila Odinga’s party would bring about inclusiveness in the country.
“Let me assure you that in 2027, those who did not vote for us in 2022 will be on our side. This is my appeal to the people of the mountain: let’s not be taken back to tribal politics. By voting for me, you broke the barriers of tribalism in this country. We’re now in the process of uniting the country and I assure you, as my friends, I will never abandon you. Nobody will come between us,” he said.
President William Ruto takes selfies with UDA grassroots leaders from Nyeri County at Sagana State Lodge, in Nyeri on January 17, 2026.
The President defended the Housing Levy which has come under criticism by the opposition, saying projects being undertaken will transform the nation. He said despite opposition in the initial stages, results are being seen with 500,000 young people working in various projects across the country and 240,000 housing units had been completed.
He also said the revamping of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) which had stagnated with a contribution of Sh312 billion by 2023 would go a long way in reducing the amount of foreign debts.
“The contribution was a flat rate of Sh200 per person regardless of their gross income. But since we changed the law that pegs contribution at six per cent of income and a contribution by the employer, the amount has doubled to Sh670 billion in two years,” he said.
“By 2027 the savings and reserves will surpass Sh1 Trillion. This is the money we will be borrowing instead of going to China for loans,” he added.
In an earlier interview on Friday, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi said the meeting was a follow up to the President’s tour of Nyeri last Sunday and Monday, when he attended a church service in Othaya and launched the regional Nyota Youth programme for Nyeri, Nyandarua, Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties.
The MP said Dr Ruto was impressed by the reception he received from Nyeri residents, saying the President was well received in Karatina town, Mr Gachagua’s backyard, where residents “affirmed their support for his second term”.
“Gachagua has lost ground because he has done nothing more than to incite the people,” he said.
Banking on grassroots leaders
“In Karatina, the President commissioned a market we have built within eight months, inspected construction of the Kenol- Marua dual carriage which is 95 per cent complete and assessed the progress of affordable housing project in the town. These are tangible projects people can see and not mere rhetoric,” he added.
President Ruto is banking on the grassroots UDA leaders to resuscitate support in Mt Kenya region that has continued to diminish by the day, following impeachment in October 2024 of his former deputy Gachagua.
After his ouster, Mr Gachagua accused President Ruto of betrayal, and embarked on destroying his support in a region that overwhelmingly voted for him in 2022 elections, contributing 87 per cent of his votes. The former DP teamed up with other opposition leaders in a movement determined to make Dr Ruto a one-term president.
To counter this attack, President Ruto deployed his deputy Prof Kindiki to the mountain, who successfully led a team of politicians in campaigns during the Mbeere North parliamentary seat by-election held on November 27, 2025 in which UDA won, stamping his authority.
President William Ruto addresses UDA grassroots leaders from Nyeri County at Sagana State Lodge, in Nyeri on January 17, 2026.
Mr Wambumbi maintained that UDA had not lost ground in the region as widely perceived, adding that the people of Mt Kenya had understood the opposition had nothing to offer.
“These are the same people who overwhelmingly voted for Dr Ruto in 2022 and they have not changed. During his tour last week, the President also inspected projects. We all witnessed the crowds that turned up to welcome him. The tide is changing and we’re regaining support for the President,” Mr Wamumbi said.
However, opposition leaders have dismissed Dr Ruto’s efforts to woo the mountain, saying no amount of convincing would change the minds of Mt Kenya residents.
“We know that the President is dishing out money in an attempt to buy loyalty. But we’re telling him is that the mountain moved on. No amount of cajoling will change the minds of residents,” said Mukurweini MP Mr John Kaguchia.
Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) chairman Mr Titus Ntuchiu also echoed the same sentiments, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration had failed to deliver on its promises not only for the people of the mountain but the entire country.
“Kenyans know that Dr Ruto does not deserve another term because they can feel the weight of bad governance in an oppressive regime, excessive taxes and a high cost of living. Kenyans are eager to elect a leadership that has their interests and which will deliver beyond mere promises,” said Mr Ntuchiu, who is eying Tigania West parliamentary seat in next year’s elections.
