As President William Ruto agonises over how to secure his second term next year, Mt Kenya has emerged as one of his key priorities.
The President has on several occasions admitted that Mt Kenya helped him secure victory in 2022, adding that he will not forsake the region.
The quest, however, faces the mountain in the name of his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024.
As the President attempts to win back the residents of the region who have gone to the extent of booing him in churches, eleven personalities could make or break this mission. Some of President Ruto’s loyalists have been physically confronted by voters.
Rigathi Gachagua
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua.
He is the greatest threat to the incumbent’s second term bid. Initially expected to fade soon after his impeachment, Mr Gachagua confounded friend and foe with his rejuvenation. He has since formed the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and is a principal in the United Opposition with Wiper Patriotic Front boss Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr Eugene Wamalwa of the Development Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
He has also won the partnership of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, DP chief Justin Muturi, former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and other Mt Kenya leaders.
“President Ruto’s re-election is next to impossible. It is a lost, last and a futile battle. By April next year, it will be clear to the local and international community that Ruto will not be re-elected,” he told the Sunday Nation on January 19.
“We intend to create a repeat of 2002 when Kanu’s dark rule collapsed under the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) wave.”
Uhuru Kenyatta
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
Wealth, power and influence come to mind as the former President makes it hard to ignore him in the 2027 plans. He has begun a re-invention of Jubilee Party, with the choice of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as its presidential candidate.
Mr Kenyatta is also aiming at convincing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the 2022 Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance not to support President Ruto.
The former president has attracted barbs from President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and a section of ODM, though he is also being castigated by Mr Gachagua’s loyalists as creating confusion in Mt Kenya.
If Mr Kenyatta unites the opposition or creates confusion in the Mountain, analysts say, the President’s re-election dream could turn into a nightmare.
Kithure Kindiki
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
The Deputy President, who was appointed by President Ruto to replace Mr Gachagua, has re-invented himself politically, proving his mettle in the November 27 Mbeere North by-election and a grassroots mobilisation campaign.
Questions, however, have been raised on whether Prof Kindiki will be Dr Ruto’s running mate. ODM leader Oburu Oginga is on record insisting that the position should be reserved for his party.
“Prof Kindiki is a serious consideration for President Ruto’s re-election. You get your maths wrong around him and you sink,” says political analyst Samuel Wang’ombe.
Kimani Ichung’wah
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
As the National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP, his coordination and mobilising abilities will be relied on by the President. Mr Ichung’wah’s position will be key in convincing his battalions not to jump ship.
“One of our key objectives is to keep our numbers loyal and committed to the future of this government. After putting the UDA house in order, we intend to join the rest of the country in uniting for the continuity of this broad-based government,” Mr Ichung’wah said on January 12.
He added that the first step is to create UDA grassroots structures and “getting to a round-table with the rest of Kenyans”.
“There are goals we seek to achieve in 2027. The formula is to bring Kenyans together in a way that winners and losers take it all,” he said.
Mwangi Kiunjuri
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri.
The Laikipia East MP, who is serving his 18th year as a lawmaker, is one of the most experienced politicians in the region. He has also demonstrated the ability to ride against euphoria and win on tickets of small parties.
Being the leader of The Service Party (TSP), which he won the parliamentary seat with in 2022 against UDA that was calling the shots, Mr Kiunjuri has been tasked with coordinating fringe parties that support President Ruto’s re-election.
“We have a friendly party in every county. They will help us mobilise the turnout for the President’s re-election. UDA is also mobilising. The fringe parties will boost the campaign. We also intend to also use the ODM structures that saw Raila Odinga get 12 per cent of the Mt Kenya votes in 2022,” the Laikipia East lawmaker said, adding that the target is 60 per cent of the Mt Kenya vote going to the President.
Anne Waiguru
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
The two-term Kirinyaga governor is expected to play a decisive role in national politics as she has developed a robust grassroots network that could make her a cog in President Ruto’s campaign wheel.
Ms Waiguru is seen in some quarters as being unleashed to check Mr Gachagua’s influence in the Mountain as well as lock Kirinyaga County from the United Opposition.
She comes from the same county as Ms Karua, a veteran politician and opposition figure.
Governor Waiguru has not ruled out contesting the Kirinyaga Senate seat, saying the people of the county, Mt Kenya and the country “will guide me on where to fit in my desire to continue serving Kenya appropriately”.
She has been mentioned by some as a possible Ruto running mate, given the push for gender equality.
Geoffrey Ruku
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
The Public Service Cabinet Secretary is riding high with his controversial call for the division of the region into Mt Kenya East comprising Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu Counties with 1.3 million votes; and Mt Kenya West made up of the remaining counties.
The minister was instrumental in guiding the government candidate Leo Wamuthende to victory in the Mbeere North by-election last year.
Wachira Kiago
Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago addresses a press conference on December 18, 2020.
The Kikuyu Council of Elders Chairman is an important voice in the community whose views usually influence politics and politicians.
The main question for Mr Kiago and the council is whether they will guide the community to reject President Ruto, remain silent or take a middle ground.
Mr Kiago has been vocal, demanding that the region unites under the banner of area interests.
He says the 2027 General Election should be about issues, not personalities.
“It is not the duty of the Kikuyu Council of Elders to dictate who gets elected as President. However, we have a duty of insisting that our interests be looked into. For 2027, our interests include fighting poverty, disease and illiteracy,” Mr Kiago said.
“We need a government that makes it possible for everyone to access basic needs.”
But the council boss also has a rider.
“There is still time for President Ruto to get his act right, especially on education, health, taxation and youth employment. Any candidate who guarantees Mt Kenya improved life is our man or woman,” he said.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
The UDA chairperson is expected to be a key mobiliser and coordinator for Dr Ruto’s re-election even as she seeks a second term as Embu governor.
She has joined hands with Mr Ruku in calling for Mt Kenya East bloc to be transformed into President Ruto’s “bedroom” – a call that has not gone down well with community leaders.
New Gema Chairman, Isaac Mungai, warned against the plan.
“Mt Kenya is a voting bloc of equal opportunity and must be courted as one entity. We cannot bloc President Ruto from campaigning in the region, but it must be from a uniting rather than a divisive front,” he said.
Ms Mbarire played a big role in the Mbeere North by-election campaigns and has been touted as a potential running mate in 2027.
“What matters most is having President Ruto delivering on his mandate as well as winning him continuity in 2027. The aim is to fulfil what we promised. In Mt Kenya, President Ruto represents unity, prosperity and security,” the governor said.
Susan Kihika
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika
As a first-term governor of the populous and cosmopolitan Nakuru County, Ms Kihika will likely be tasked with ensuring most votes go to President Ruto. She may also lead the search for the diaspora vote.
George Kariuki
Ndia MP George Kariuki.
The wealthy Ndia MP is the National Assembly Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman.
He has been referred by some as President Ruto’s Mr Fix It. In recent months, Mr Kariuki has been given the assignment of coordinating UDA grassroots elections.
“I am pursuing the interests of our ‘hustlers’ as we promised them during the campaigns in 2022. We know where to find many matatus, boda bodas and mama mbogas. It is my duty to ensure we achieve policy and infrastructure promises as it was in 2022,” he said.
“For that reason, I will be very visible in Mt Kenya counties, engaging with the people and revisiting the ‘Hustler Nation’ dream with the objective of winning back lost love”.
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