Muturi party exits Kenya Kwanza as Ruto plans to storm Mt Kenya

President William Ruto’s support in Mt Kenya region could take a further beating with Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi’s party set to sever links with Kenya Kwanza.

Details of the exit of the Democratic Party of Kenya from the Ruto coalition emerged as the President plans an extensive tour of Mt Kenya—a region he has avoided since the dramatic ouster of his estranged deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

The Star has established that DP has issued a 30-day notice to exit the Kenya Kwanza alliance, raising uncertainty over Muturi’s future in government.

On Wednesday, Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu confirmed her office had received the letter, dated March 7, but officially recorded it on March 12.

“Kindly take notice that our stay in Kenya Kwanza is no longer tenable due to prevailing political developments,” reads the letter, signed by DP secretary general Jacob Haji and chairman Esau Kioni.

“The Democratic Party of Kenya, through this letter, hereby gives a 30-day notice to exit the coalition, as stipulated in termination clause 8 of the coalition agreement.”

The move could signify Muturi’s own plan to exit government as Ruto plans major changes to reflect the newfound deal with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The Star has established that the President plans a week-long offensive of the agitated Mt Kenya region, dubbed development tour, next month. Multiple sources confirmed the President’s impending tour, setting the stage for a titanic political showdown with Gachagua.

“Yes, the President will visit the mountain for one week in April. He will visit all the counties in the region, and he will reside at the Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri,” Igembe South MP Paul Mwirigi told the Star.

The tour of Mt Kenya comes at a time the head of state’s popularity is at rock bottom following his fallout with Gachagua and the radical purge of his troops in Parliament.

Ruto has already inked a political deal with Raila – his fierce competitor in the last elections – supposedly to compensate for the ‘lost’ Mt Kenya region.

Raila controls key voting blocs including Nyanza, Western, Nairobi, Coast and Northeastern – crucial for Ruto’s reelection.

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi said the President is scheduled to launch several projects in the region, including a road and water project in his county, but the dates were yet to be firmed up.

“He is supposed to come and launch those projects because he is the one who started them, but the ground is not very good. So, we don’t know if he will come,” he said. Another lawmaker from the region who holds a senior position in Parliament confirmed the planned visit.

“The President will be residing in Gachagua’s county. He will be at State Lodge (Sagana). We are now working on modalities and preparing the ground,” the lawmaker disclosed.

However, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed neither responded to our calls nor a text message seeking his comment on the planned development tour of the region.

Ruto will be visiting Mt Kenya for the first time since November 17, 2024, when he was booed during the consecration and installation of Bishop Peter Ndung’u at the Anglican Church of Kenya Mukangu.

Kirinyaga Senator James Murango, a close ally of Gachagua, said they have not been informed about the visit of the President to the region. Nominated MP Sabina Chege said they have not received official information either from State House or the leadership of Parliament regarding the visit.

The President has been to all other parts of the country but Mt Kenya – which voted overwhelmingly for him in the last polls.

Currently, the President is on a week-long tour of Nairobi county. This came just days after he visited the Coast, where he launched several projects in an apparent bid to woo the region.

Earlier, he toured the Northeastern, Western and Nyanza regions. Ruto faces a backlash in the region that “granted” him victory in the 2022 general elections.

Gachagua, who has become a political supremo in the area, has sustained attacks on Ruto and is currently forming a party and alliances to unseat his former boss.

“He said he would come to Mt Kenya next year. He had said the people were so angry and wanted them to cool down. Is the anger coming down or worsening?” Gachagua posed in December.

“I want to advise you, don’t wait for their anger to cool down. It is rising. If you fear anger, you will never come. So, come, and don’t delay because these people have tough questions for you,” he added.

“And because you are my friend, let me leak some few questions… these people loved you. They trusted you. If you come, tell them why you decided to betray and hate them.”

In what could be a classic case of adding salt to an injury, the President has purged key allies of Gachagua from parliamentary leadership – a move that could worsen the anger among the residents.

In the Senate, Senators Karungu Thang’wa (Kiambu), Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), James Murango (Kirinyaga), John Methu (Nyandarua) and Seki Kunar (Kajiado) were dewhipped from crucial house committees.

In the National Assembly, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), James Gakuya (Embakasi North) and Godfrey Wandeto (Tetu) were all removed from leadership of committees.

This comes amid talk of a looming purge in the Cabinet in what would see some CSs from the region removed.

It is believed the President could announce the changes as soon as this week as he moves to accommodate Raila’s allies in his broad-based government.

A similar purge is also expected in the Principal Secretary jobs, where the Public Service Commission has already concluded interviews for shortlisted candidates.

The President is expected to nominate PSs from a list forwarded to him by PSC, a move that would see more Gachagua allies shown the door. Gachagua has vowed that the region has completely severed political ties with Ruto.

“From today, the people of Mt Kenya have politically disengaged from President Ruto. We will not support him in 2027,” he said during an interview at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri.

The former Mathira MP has already announced he will launch a new political vehicle in May to challenge President Ruto.

Gachagua is crafting a mega-opposition coalition with several political figures, including Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP Kenya Eugene Wamalwa and Martha Karua of People’s Liberation Party. Last month, the opposition leaders vowed to rally behind one candidate to take on President Ruto in 2027.

Kalonzo promised a big political wave bringing all the opposition teams in the next elections. “It is going to be bigger than 2002, we are going to be an action-oriented unity movement. We must unite and work together to send Ruto home,” he said.

“In 1992, we were divided; in 1997, the same. In 2002, we learned our lesson that without unity, we cannot succeed,” Wamalwa stated.