Ruto plays safe with Mt Kenya in State purge

President WIlliam Ruto when he hosted MPs from Mt Kenya region at State House in Nairobi /PCS

President William Ruto has thrown off balance his political detractors by co-opting Raila Odinga and his ODM machine into government without any radical purge targeting the Mount Kenya region.

It was widely expected that Ruto would kick out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allies amid hushed protestations the region had “grabbed” the lion’s share of appointments to the detriment of other communities.

The president’s move comes as he plans an extensive tour of the region, even as he strategises to maintain his grip of the region whose vote propelled him to power in August 2022.

In a deliberate plan, Ruto created seven new state departments to accommodate Raila and avoided what would have triggered political fallout.

In 2007, then-President Mwai Kibaki faced the wrath of the Kalenjin, who accused his administration of targeting the community by firing high profile civil servants employed during President Daniel arap Moi’s tenure.

The newly created state departments include Public Investment and Assets Management, National Government Co-Ordination and Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs.

Others departments are Science, Research and Innovation, Children Welfare Services, Aviation and Aerospace Development and Special Programmes.

Pundits say Ruto’s move is a multipronged strategy, especially coming at a time when he is set to visit Mount Kenya.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi told the Star that Ruto’s change of heart has all to do with the impending tour.

Such a move, according to the Wiper leader, would have been costly to the head of state.

“He (Ruto) did not want to dismiss these people because of his impending tour; it would increase the level of hostility, and those who are opposing him from the region will capitalise on that, telling people how they have been chased away,” Mwangangi told the Star on phone.

The intrigues are said to have also informed Ruto’s reluctance to reshuffle the Cabinet. Instead, the president is appearing to appease the region, giving them more slots.

On Thursday, the President nominated former Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu to the State department East African Community. Amos Gathecha was also promoted from Principal Secretary of Public Service to the deputy Head of the Public Service in the Office of the President.

But according to governance expert Javas Bigambo, Ruto’s move is a well-calculated move to get a pie of the votes in 2027. He said Mt Kenya big names in government might not actually be sent packing as is widely expected.

“Basically it is a situation of what Raila did in the last election. The then Azimio presidential candidate failed to climb the mountain—it was extremely slippery—but however slippery it was, he (Raila) got out with one million votes. He (Ruto) wants to get out of Mt Kenya, not with nil votes but, if he can, a million or two,” he says.

Politically, central Kenya remains a significant bloc for Ruto given its numbers and influence on national politics. Government insiders also agree that firing key figures from Mt Kenya ahead of the visit could fuel discontent.

Apart from Gachagua, Ruto’s relationships with both Muturi and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro are strained. Nyoro was fired from chairing the powerful Budget and Appropriation Committee in the recent changes effected in Parliament.

“The position I held was a result of consultations. Before such a decision is made, extensive discussions must take place. However, I have not had any conversation, either directly or by phone, with any leader in our coalition regarding my removal,” Nyoro told a press conference on Monday.

Ruto is planning an intensive weeklong tour of the region, beginning end of this month. This will be the first time he will be touring the region since the nasty fallout with his former deputy late last year.

As part of the preparations, the President on Thursday hosted MPs from Mt Kenya at State House where they discussed a number of issues ranging from progress made in coffee, tea and dairy farming to infrastructural development, affordable housing, and fresh produce markets.

Tellingly, State House on Friday dispatched Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of performance and delivery management Eliud Owalo to the region for project inspection ahead of the visit.

On Friday, Owalo was in Murang'a, where he conducted inspection and verification of various national government projects. Amongst the projects he inspected include the Sh312 million Maragua Ridge Irrigation project in Kamahuha.

He is also scheduled to visit the Sh1.8 billion affordable housing project in Makuyu, Murang’a county, next week.

Bigambo insisted that the strategy to tour the region despite the discontent might work against Gachagua if well executed.

“He (Ruto) knows Mt Kenya is on fire yet he is planning a tour there, he is trying to go there using scorchedearth method that even though politically he is not welcome thanks to Rigathi Gachagua, he wants to demonstrate that it is Gachagua who is trying to exclude Mt,” the political commentator added.